energy generation & storage 1.2

Question 1

how does coal produce electricity

Answer 1

1.it’s crushed
2.The hot coal heats water, turning it into steam
3.The steam builds up to a very high pressure and this is used to spin a turbine
4.The turbine is connected to an electrical generator, which creates electricity

Question 2

advantages of fossil fuels

Answer 2

• generates a lot of energy
• reliable
• cost effective

Question 3

disadvantages of coal

Answer 3

• finite, will eventually run out
• Produces carbon dioxide when burned, contributing to global warming
• Damage is caused to natural land when mining takes place

Question 4

advantages of gas

Answer 4

emits less CO2 than oil and coal

Question 5

disadvantages of gas

Answer 5

highly flammable
extraction of gas may pollute wate

Question 6

how is gas obtained

Answer 6

using fracking and breaking rocks

Question 7

how is nuclear power generated

Answer 7

using nuclear fission, the energy from the splitting is used to convert water into super-heated steam. This spins turbines connected to electrical generators to produce electricity

Question 8

advantages of nuclear power

Answer 8

• no harmful gases are released in the process
• more efficient than fossil fuels

Question 9

disadvantages of nuclear power

Answer 9

• Nuclear power stations have to close after around 40 years of use when the uranium becomes less efficient at heating the water
• Disposal of uranium is difficult and costly
• Cost of nuclear power stations is very large

Question 10

examples of renewable energy

Answer 10

wind
solar
biomass
tidal
hydroelectric

Question 11

how is wind power generated

Answer 11

blades turn with the wind, driving a generator, which produces the electricity.

Question 12

disadvantages of renewable

Answer 12

1. weather dependent
2. can be considered to ruin the scenic landscapes
   3.initial costs are quite high
3. may destroy habitats

Question 13

advantages of renewable

Answer 13

less environmental impact
low costs after initial costs
most renewables won’t runout

Question 14

examples of recharble batteries

Answer 14

mobile phones, laptops, electric cars

Question 15

where are alkaline batteries(non-rechargeable) used

Answer 15

toys, remotes, torches, clocks

Question 16

what are kinetic pumped storage systems

Answer 16

a fast-acting energy storage system to top up the National Grid power supply at peak times when more electricity is needed.

Question 17

how do kinetic pumped storage systems work

Answer 17

having two reservoirs and a hydroelectric dam system
the water is pumped between the two reservoirs turning a turbine to produce electricity each way

Question 18

what is a flywheel

Answer 18

fly wheels can be found in cars and other vehicles.
Your car’s flywheel is a weighty, round disc connected to the engine’s crankshaft.
The main job of a flywheel is to store kinetic energy that can be used to power your vehicle and prevent it from stalling.

Question 19

what type of energy store is a flywheel

Answer 19

mechanical energy store

Question 20

what is a capacitor

Answer 20

capacitors are the most popular non-chemical method of storing electricity.
predates the battery
they consist of two plates of opposite polarity and when they are charged they transfer energy between the positive and the negative

super capacitors are used in electric cars as they can be recharged repeatedly unlike batteries.