Energy and the Environment

Question 1

What are fossil fuels?

Answer 1

Carbon-based fuels, formed over millions of years ago from decay of living matter.

Question 2

How is coal formed?

Answer 2

*huge forests died and formed peat millions of years ago.
*the peat was compressed between sediments.
*further compression formed coal.

Question 3

How is oil and natural gas formed?

Answer 3

*small animals and plants die and fall to the bottom of the sea.
*their remains were covered by sediments which form layers.
*the layers turned into sandstone with heat and pressure.
*they turn into crude oil and natural gas.
*they then separated and rose through the sandstone.

Question 4

Non-renewable means:

Answer 4

*it is limited.
*it takes millions of years to get replenished.

Question 5

Renewable means:

Answer 5

*can be used over and over again.
*can be replenished in a short period of time.

Question 6

Non-renewables:

Answer 6

*fossil fuels(coal, natural gas, and oil)
*nuclear power.

Question 7

Renewables:

Answer 7

*geothermal power.
*hydro-electric power.
*tidal power.
*wave power.
*solar power.
*wind power.
*biofuels(bioethanol, biogas, and wood)

Question 8

The demand for energy is increasing worldwide due to:

Answer 8

*increasing population.
*increasing industrialisation and urbanisation.
*improvements of standard of living and expectations.

Question 9

How a turbine generates electricity:

Answer 9

A machine, often with fins, revolves by gas, steam or air.

Question 10

How a generator generates electricity:

Answer 10

A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Question 11

How nuclear power generates electricity:

Answer 11

Uranium releases a massive amount of energy when a nuclear fission(splitting of atom) occurs.

Question 12

How wind power generates electricity:

Answer 12

Wind turbines.

Question 13

How solar power generates electricity:

Answer 13

Solar panels.

Question 13

How geothermal power generates electricity:

Answer 13

Cold water is pumped onto a layer of hot rocks, which heat the water. The hot water then returns to the surface under pressure and heat, turns into steam and moves the turbine, generating electricity.

Question 14

How hydro-electric power generates electricity:

Answer 14

Water is released from the reservoir that flows through a turbine, rotating it, activating a generator that generates electricity.

Question 14

Disadvantages of fossil fuels:

Answer 14

*limited supply(non-renewable)
*damages local area.
*carbon dioxide and toxic gases are released into the atmosphere causing global warming.

Question 14

Advantages of fossil fuels:

Answer 14

*plentiful supply.
*provides jobs opportunities.
*the technology used is well-known and well-practised.

Question 15

Why would a decline in the economy of one country be an issue?

Answer 15

It would be an issue because it would have a global impact.

Question 16

What are the strategies of managing energy resources?

Answer 16

*reducing consumption.
*education.
*energy from waste.
*exploiting existing energy resources.
*developing new resources.

Question 17

Reducing consumption:

Answer 17

*double glazing.
*loft insulation.
*underfloor insulation.
*electrical devices turned off when not in use.
*more energy-efficient devices bought and used.
*using more sustainable way to travel(train, bicycle, walking etc)

Question 18

What is anaerobic digestion?

Answer 18

Breaking down of organic matter using bacteria.

Question 19

Improving education:

Answer 19

*promote new ways of thinking.
*improved school systems.
*make school more accessible.
*show benefits of technology.
*show benefits of reducing energy consumption.

Question 20

Fracking:

Answer 20

Obtaining oil or gas from shale rock by splitting them open using water, sand, and chemicals.

Question 21

Transport policies:

Answer 21

*taxation of vehicles.
*check on fuel efficiency.
*encouraging car-sharing.
*restricting car use.
*providing incentives to buy fuel-efficient vehicles.
*improving routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
*improving public transport.
*regulations regarding the quality of exhaust gases of vehicles.

Question 22

Advantages of fracking:

Answer 22

*access to more oil and gas.
*less pollution than burning coal.
*the need to import reduces.
*more jobs/income.

Question 23

Disadvantages of fracking:

Answer 23

*risk of toxins entering drinking water.
*the toxins may affect the locals.
*uses a lot of water.
*noise pollution.
*natural areas damaged.
*may cause mini tremors in the earth.

Question 24

Main causes of oil spills:

Answer 24

*Offshore extraction/leakage.
*leaks in oil pipelines.
*damage/leakage when shipping.

Question 25

Effects of oil spills:

Answer 25

*kills phytoplankton by blocking sunlight.
*animals die because of shortage of food.
*birds’ feathers get affected and prevent them from flying.
*animals die due to consuming oil from eating fish.
*food sources are affected.
*oil affects hunting of birds.
*oil affects animals’ skin.
*oil prevents gas exchange so fish die due to less oxygen.
*devastation of the reef due to lack of oxygen.
*areas of coral covered in oil.
*tourism affected.

Question 26

Reducing marine oil spills:

Answer 26

Following MARPOL regulations and tanker designs.

Question 27

Tanker designs to reduce oil spills:

Answer 27

Double hulls and many hull compartments.

Question 28

Minimising the impact of oil spills:

Answer 28

Floating booms and skimmers.

Question 29

What is scrapping?

Answer 29

The encouragement of removing inefficient machines.

Question 30

Regulations of MARPOL:

Answer 30

*supervise oil transport at sea.
*all tankers must be certified.
*fines permitted if not in regulation.