Energy Resources

Question 1

What do fossil fuels generate?

Answer 1

Greenhouse gases, including…

• carbon dioxide
• sulphur dioxide
• nitric oxides
• ash

Question 2

Give at least 3 alternative energy resources

Answer 2

• nuclear
• solar
• wind
• geothermal
• hydroelectric
• tidal
• biofuel

Question 3

Give at least 3 energy generation methods

Answer 3

• coal
• oil
• natural gas
• nuclear
• solar
• wind
• geothermal
• hydroelectric
• tidal
• biofuel

Question 4

Give an advantage and disadvantage of fossil fuels

Answer 4

Adv.:
- can be easy to obtain

Dis adv.:

• pollution
• method of extraction can be dangerous
• running out

Question 5

Give an advantage and disadvantage of nuclear power

Answer 5

Advantages:

• renewable (or close to it)
• very clean
• very safe nowadays
• efficient

Disadvantage:

• bad reputation
• cost

Question 6

Give an advantage and disadvantage of solar power

Answer 6

Advantage:

• little maintenance required
• clean; no fossil fuels

Disadvantage:

• expensive
• short term solution
• inefficient
• toxic materials

Question 7

Give an advantage and disadvantage of wind turbines

Answer 7

Advantage:

• cheap
• little pollution
• renewable

Disadvantage:

• noisy/eyesore
• unreliable
• danger to some wildlife

Question 8

Give an advantage and disadvantage of geothermal power

Answer 8

Advantages:

• renewable
• no pollution

Disadvantages:
- difficult to fix if necessary

Question 9

Give an advantage and disadvantage of hydroelectric power

Answer 9

Advantages:
- renewable

Disadvantages:

• damaging to wildlife
• eyesore
• expensive

Question 10

Give an advantage and disadvantage of wave power

Answer 10

Advantages:

• renewable
• no pollution

Disadvantages:

• ruins coastline
• eyesore

Question 11

Give an advantage and disadvantage of tidal power

Answer 11

Advantages:

• renewable
• no pollution
• can save space/make use of unused space

Disadvantages:
- bridge design may need to be changed

Question 12

Give an advantage and disadvantage of biofuel

Answer 12

Advantage:

• renewable
• makes use of otherwise wasted materials
• carbon neutral (supposedly)
• reliable

Disadvantages:

• pollution
• cost of refining
• can lead to deforestation
• CO2 and methane emissions

Question 13

Explain the process of nuclear power generation

Answer 13

• fission of atomic nuclei releases energy
• energy heats water and turns it to steam
• steam turns a turbine; turns a generator; generates electricity

Question 14

Explain solar power generation

Answer 14

• solar panels ‘collect’ energy from sunlight in the thermal store
• energy heats water and turns it to steam
• steam turns a turbine; turns a generator; generates electricity

Question 15

Explain the process of wind power generation

Answer 15

• wind turns the wind turbine

- turbine turns generator; generates electricity

Question 16

Explain the process of geothermal power generation

Answer 16

• pipes pump water 3-5km down into Earth’s crust
• hot rocks etc. evaporate water into steam
• steam turns a turbine; turns a generator; generates electricity

Question 17

Explain the process of hydroelectric power generation

Answer 17

• water falling through holes in a dam turns a turbine; turns a generator; generates electricity

Question 18

Explain the process of wave power generation

Answer 18

• water wave moves into an air pocket
• air is forced into the turbine
• turbine turns generator; generates electricity

Question 19

Explain the process of tidal power generation

Answer 19

• big dams built across river estuaries
• as tide moves in, water moves through dam
• water turns turbine; turns generator; generates electricity

Question 20

Explain the process of biofuel power generation

Answer 20

• biofuels are renewable energy resources created from animal dung/plant products
• biofuel is burnt, heating water and creating steam
• steam turns a turbine; turns a generator; generates electricity