Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

PHYSICS IGCSE > energy resources > Flashcards

energy resources Flashcards

generating electricity from fuels, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, non renewable, wind, biofuels, wave power, tidal barrages

1
Q

what will happen to non renewable energy sources one day

A

they will run out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is a non renewable energy source

A

is an energy resource that cannot be made at the same rate that it is consumed, so one day will run out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are the non renewable energy resources (2)

A

fossil fuels
nuclear fuel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

three main fossil fuels

A

coal
oil
natural gas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

a renewable energy source is

A

an energy resource that is being, or can be made at the same rate ( or faster) that it’s being used, so will never run out

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

there are 7 renewable energy sources, state them

A
  • geothermal
  • biofuels
  • wind
  • tidal
  • solar
  • hydroelectric
  • water waves
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is one of the most common way of generating electricity using fossil fuels

A

in big powerhouse stations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what features does a nuclear power station have

A

nuclear reactor, turbine, generator

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what gas do coil, oil and gas release into the atmosphere when they’re burned

A

carbon dioxide

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

are fossil fuels and nuclear fuel readily available at the moment

A

at the moment, there are enough fossil fuels to meet current demand so power stations can generate a reliable electricity supply as they have fuel in stock

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the problem with extracting nuclear fuel

A

it is expensive and difficult and becoming more and more so as we use the easily accessible supplies up.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what does burning coal and oil also release and what does that cause

A

sulphur dioxide which causes acid rain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what risk to nuclear power stations impose

A

there is major risk of catastrophe

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

we use the suns energy directly by using (2)

A

solar cells
solar panels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

are solar cells expensive

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

do solar cells damage the environment a lot

A

no, there is no pollution

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are solar cells mostly used on

A

to charge batteries on calculators or watches which don’t use much electricity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

where is solar power most often used

A

in remote places where there is no choice like australian outback and to power electric road signs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

when is solar power available

A

only in the day time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

can you increase the power output of solar power when there is increase in demand

A

no

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

compared to other energy resources, do solar cells produce a lot or little power per unit space taken up

A

little

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

will wind and biofuels run out

A

no

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

what are biofuels

A

renewable energy source created from plant products or animal dung

( can be liquid or gas)
can be burned to produce electricity or run cars in the same way as fossil fuels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

pros of biofuel (2)

A

carbon neutral
available and reliable

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

cons of biofuels (2)

A
  • need a lot of space for crops, so generating energy on a large scale is limited by having enough land
  • in some regions, large areas of forests have been removed to make room for biofuels, resulting in lots of species losing their natural habitats
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

is wind power produced on a large or small scale

A

both

27
Q

is there pollution from wind turbines

A

no

28
Q

con of wind turbines

A

they spoil the view

29
Q

geothermal power uses energy in the internal energy of ___ that are ____

A

rocks that are underground

30
Q

where is geothermal power available

A

in volcanic areas where hot rocks lie near the surface

31
Q

is geothermal power reliable

A

very

32
Q

does geothermal have environmental problems

A

can release som CO2 but much less than fossil fuels

33
Q

what can geothermal energy be used for

A

large scale to generate electricity or small scale to heat buildings

34
Q

cons of geothermal ( drawbacks)

A

not many suitable locations for power stations, cost of building the power station is high compared to the amount of power it produces

35
Q

hydroelectric power generates electricity from

A

from the energy in the kinetic energy stores of falling water

36
Q

is there pollution with wave power

A

no

37
Q

wave power is only available in

A

coastal locations

38
Q

does wave power produce electricity on a large scale

A

no

39
Q

is wave power reliable

A

not really as it depends on if the wind drops

40
Q

main problems with wave power

A
  • disturbs seabed
  • disturbs habitat of marine wildlife
  • hazard to boats
41
Q

what is one method that tides produce electricity

A

tidal barrages

42
Q

what are tidal barrages

A

big dams built across river estuaries

43
Q

is there pollution with tidal barrages

A

no

44
Q

is tidal power reliable

A

pretty reliable as they happen twice a day without fail

45
Q

name the reaction that releases the energy stored in the nuclear energy stores of nuclear fuel

A

fission

46
Q

advantages of fossil fuels

A

Reliable. Can produce large amounts of energy consistently. Can respond to changes in demand.

47
Q

disadvantages of fossil fuels

A

Produces carbon dioxide (CO2) which contribute to global warming, and sulphur dioxide, which causes acid rain

48
Q

advantages of nuclear energy

A

Reliable. Produces large amounts of energy consistently. Produces no pollution or CO2. Large amounts of energy are produced from small amounts of fuel.

49
Q

disadvantages of nuclear energy

A

Produces radioactive waste that takes thousands of years to decay and must be safely disposed of. Nuclear power stations are expensive to build and maintain, and take many years to build. Can not be turned on and off quickly so cannot respond to changes in demand.

50
Q

advantages of biofuels

A

The CO2 released from combustion is balanced by the CO2 absorbed in photosynthesis, so could be considered carbon neutral

51
Q

disadvantages of biofuels

A

Land and resources used to grow crops are needed to grow food crops

52
Q

advantages of wind energy

A

Produces no pollution or CO2. Are cheap to build and maintain

53
Q

disadvantages of wind energy

A

Non-reliable. Only generate electricity when the wind is blowing in a certain direction. Some people consider them visual pollution (they spoil the view)

54
Q

advantages of hydroelectric energy

A

Reliable. Can respond to meet changes in demand. No pollution or CO2 produced (unless a pump is used to return the water as this uses fossil fuels).

55
Q

disadvantages of hydroelectric

A

Can involve flooding large areas to build reservoirs which destroys habitats and displaces wildlife

56
Q

advantages of tidal

A

Tides are very predictable, so energy can be produced at regular intervals

57
Q

disadvantages of tidal

A

Few suitable locations (estuaries). Can harm aquatic life and disrupt shipping

58
Q

advantages of geothermal

A

reliable

59
Q

disadvantages of geothermal

A

Not many suitable locations. Can release methane (a greenhouse gas) in the extraction process.

60
Q

advantages of solar

A

Produces no pollution or greenhouse gases. Good for electricity production in remote areas.

61
Q

disadvantages of solar

A

non-reliable. Only generates electricity when the Sun is shining. Each solar cell only produces a small amount of electricity so many cells are needed.

62
Q

PRACTICAL how do you investigate conduction

A
  • attach ball bearings to the ends of each metal strip at an equal distance from the centre- using a small amount of wax
  • the strips should then be turned upside down and the centre heated gently using a bunsen burner so that each trip is heated at the central point where they meet
  • time how long it takes for each of the strips
  • repeat and calculate average
63
Q

PRACTICAL- how do you investigate convection

A
  • fill a beaker with cold water and place it on top of a tripod and heat proof mat
  • pick up potassium manganate crystal using forceps and drop it into centre of beaker ( carefully)
  • heat beaker using the bunsen burner and record observations
  • repeat with hot water and record observations
64
Q

PRACTICAL - how do you investigate radiation

A
  • set up 4 identical flasks painted in different colours : black, grey, white and silver
  • fill flasks with hot water, ensuring measurements start from same initial temperature
  • note starting temperature, then measuring temperatures at regular intervals ( every 30s for 10mins)
  • some will be hotter faster due to the surface colour as radiation is affected by that

PHYSICS IGCSE (19 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions