Energy P.3 Flashcards
What are all the ways that we use to get energy
Biofules, Nuclear power, Fossil fuels, Geothermal, Tidal, Wind, Solar
How do biofuels work?
The chemical energy stored in things that were once alive (e.g. trees ,animal waste or plants) can be transferred into thermal energy by
burning them.
How do fossil fuels work?
Fossil fuels (such as coal and oil) are burned to heat a fluid (water), which creates steam and turns a turbine. The turbine rotates, which turns a generator.
How does Geothermal energy work?
Underground reservoirs of water are heated by magma, producing steam that rises and is channelled into the power plant. The steam then turns turbines, which turn generators, generating electricity. The steam is then cooled down and returned to the reservoir.
How does Tidal energy work
The rise and fall of the tides causes water to move back and forth. This is used to turn the blades of tidal turbines. This produces electricity
How does wind energy work?
The kinetic energy of the wind turns propellers around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity.
How do solar energy work?
Solar cells absorb the sun’s electromagnetic waves and transferes it to electricity.
How does nuclear energy work?
It works by nuclear fission using uranium - this process takes place in a nuclear reactor and generates heat and steam, which drive turbines to generate energy.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels?
Advantages:
Renewable — so long as the trees that are cut down arereplaced.
Doesn’t add to the greenhouse effect as it is
carbon-neutral
Doesn’t require any specialised equipment and so can be easily used
Disadvantages:
Large areas of land are required to grow enough trees or allow enough animals to graze
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Nuclear energy?
Advantages:
No greenhouse gases given off
Much more energy is transferred from each kilogram of fuel compared to fossil fuels
Disadvantages:
Used fuel rods contain radioactive waste which needs to be safely disposed
Possibility of accidental release of radioactive materials
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels?
Advantages:
Cheap to excavate
Easily used to transfer to different energy stores
Disadvantages:
Non-renewable
Emit greenhouse gases when burned
Finite in supply — they will eventually run out
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Geothermal energy?
Advantages:
It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
It doesn’t damage/harm the environment
Disadvantages:
Very few places in the world where this can be done
It is expensive to drill deep underground and lay the pipe.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Tidal energy?
Advantages:
It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
Reliable. There are always two tides every day.
Once it is built it is cheap to run
Disadvantages:
The dam/barrage costs a lot to build
The barrage can cause local flooding
Can affects nearby habitats of creatures and
plants
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy?
Advantages:
It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
Turbines are cheap and easy to build.
Disadvantages:
Create a whining noise when working
Some people consider them unsightly
Only works if it is windy!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?
Advantages:
sustainable, renewable, and plentiful
very cheap to maintain
Disadvantages:
High upfront cost
Sunlight depended
Takes up a lot of space
Environmental imapct of manufacturing
