Energy and Efficiency Flashcards
What is the conservation of energy principle?
Energy can only be transferred usefully, stored or dissipated - but it can never be created or destroyed.
What happens to energy which is not transferred usefully?
It is wasted and eventually transfers to the surroundings, which become warmer. The wasted energy becomes increasingly spread out and so becomes less useful.
They amount of energy and appliance transfers depends on:
How long the appliance is switched on for
It’s power
How do power stations use an energy source to heat water?
The steam produced from the heating of the energy sources drives a turbine that is coupled to an electrical generator.
What are some energy sources?
Fossil fuels which are burned to heat water or air
Biofuels which a burnt to heat water
What natural resources can be used to drive turbines directly?
Wind and water
How can electricity be produced?
Directly by from the Sun’s radiation
What is geothermal energy?
In some volcanic areas hot water and steam rise from the service. The steam can be trapped and used to drive turbines.
What are some effects on the environment from using different energy resources:
The release of substances into the atmosphere
The production of waste materials
Noise and visual pollution
The destruction of wildlife habitats
What is the National Grid?
Electricity is distributed from power stations to customers along the National Grid. For a given, power increasing the voltage reduces the current required and this reduces the energy losses in the cables.
What is the set up of the National Grid?
Power station, [step up transformer, pylons and electricity cables, stepdown transformer,] consumers.
