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AQA Environmental science questions > Energy resources > Flashcards

Energy resources Flashcards

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1
Q

Outline the arguments for and against the development of nuclear power. (4)

A

Arguments for
eg
high energy density/small amount of fuel needed
low fuel transport requirement
named pollutant not released eg co2
small waste quantity
employment opportunities

high development/installation/construction cost
high cost but high return
limited number/planning permission problems
power station aesthetics
ugly power stations can have a local impact
public safety
named health risk
environmental contamination
level of public support
perceived risks
employment

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2
Q

Outline the arguments for and against the development of solar power. (4)

A

Arguments for;;; E.g.
renewable energy
(relatively) simple technology
no fuel requirement
no pollution (in use) no co2 released apart from during manufacturing
usable in isolated areas suitable for mobile uses

Argument against;;
intermittent/day-night/seasonal
Unreliable/affected by cloud cover
Low efficiency (energy conversion by panels)
few aesthetic problems
Public support issues

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3
Q

Describe the trends in demand for electricity. (3)

A

Daily rise and fall/daytime peaks, night time lows;
fluctuations during daytime peak (during day, meals, breaks);
higher during week than at weekend;
reduced/changed time of peaks Sat/Sun;
differences between weekdays;
eg Mon-Thu ref to values at stated time;

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4
Q

Suggest reasons for the difference in the trends on Monday and Sunday. (2)

A

baseload activity (all the time);
eg industry: Al smelting, sewage treatment, water treatment, hospitals domestic: fridges, appliances on standby

weekday/weekend differences;;
eg less industry at weekend
different meal times
use of electricity for transport - electric trains/underground trams

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5
Q

Explain how the electricity industry can store surplus energy to help match fluctuations in demand. (5)

A

Pumped storage HEP;
(surplus electricity used to) pump water up;
two reservoirs;
stored as (gravitational) potential energy;
water released during periods of demand;
rapid response;

HEP dam kept closed;
(gravitational) potential energy (stored);
electricity generated when required;

Hydrogen economy;
(surplus electricity used for) electrolysis of water;
storage of hydrogen (from electrolysis);
use of (stored) hydrogen when needed;
named method of using (stored) hydrogen;

Fuel cell;
electricity used to make fuel/converted to chemical energy;
named fuel/hydrogen/methanol;
electricity generated when required;
named use of fuel cell;

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6
Q

Suggest two reasons why wind farms are not always built in the windiest areas. (2)

A

Named human conflicts;;
eg aesthetics, noise, flicker, radio interference

named wildlife conflicts;;
eg bird strike/migration route, bat deaths, habitat damage designated areas access difficulty;
distance to consumers;

named construction problem;
eg poor foundations/deep water

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7
Q

Explain how economic strategies have been used to encourage the use of renewable energy. (3)

A

NFFO/Non Fossil Fuel Obligation;
price control; eg increase fossil fuel price
tax relief;
carbon tax;
(set-up) grants/discounts/subsidies/loans/research funding;
make planning process/construction easier;
sell surplus electricity to the grid;

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8
Q

Outline the ways in which the use of wind turbines may cause damage to the natural environment. (3)

A

Habitat damage during material extraction/processing;

habitat loss/damage for access roads/transformers/cables/infrastructure;
aesthetic damage to natural environment;
bird strike;
bat deaths;
noise disturbance of wildlife/named taxa; eg of cetaceans

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9
Q

Describe how oxides of nitrogen may cause the production of a secondary pollutant. (2)

A

Photochemical reaction/photodissociation/action of light/UV;
NO2 breakdown (to NO and O);
monatomic oxygen (produced);
ozone (produced from O2 and O);
PANs;
OR
NOx dissolves in water;
nitric acid (produced);
toxic ion/heavy metal solubility

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10
Q

Outline two features of ship tanker design that are intended to reduce the risk of oil pollution. (4)

A

Method;;
eg
double hull
reduced risk of tank damage

tank washing/bilge water storage tank
waste not dumped overboard/discharged at oil terminal

twin rudders/engines/fuel tanks
less chance of total manoeuvrability failure

ballast water;
not held in oil tanks;

advanced navigation;
avoid collisions;

inert gas system;
reduce fire/explosion risk;

[Alarger number of tanks]
[Asmaller volume spilt]

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11
Q

Outline two ways in which energy density may affect the usefulness of an energy resource. (2)

A

Resources with high energy density more useful because:
higher power output/less fuel needed;
greater ease of transport;
less space for storage;
named use requiring high energy density, eg vehicle fuel;

[A converse]

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12
Q

Explain how the use of hydrogen as a secondary fuel may help to increase the usefulness of renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power. (3)

A

Removes unreliability/intermittency;
higher energy density;
electrolysis of water(to produce hydrogen);
more useful chemical energy;
application to vehicles/named use/high intensity use;
many primary fuels harnessed to give one fuel for consumers;
storability of hydrogen;
surplus for later use/peak shaving/back up supplies

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13
Q

Suggest why, despite their higher embodied energy, replacing steel with aluminium and plastics may reduce the total amount of energy used by a car over its lifetime. (2)

A

Reduce mass/lighter;
reduced energy/fuel use (for propulsion)

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14
Q

Outline how car manufacturers can design cars to reduce the environmental impact at the end of the vehicle’s life. (2)

A

Choice/amount of materials that can be recycled;
reuseable parts;
lower energy use (in recycling);
easier separation/dismantling;
identifiable materials;
less waste produced;
fewer toxins/pollutants;
alloys (harder to recycle);
biodegradable materials;

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15
Q

Outline how the use of solar power reduces the use of other energy inputs. (3)

A

Example of how other energy inputs would have been used;;
eg
space heating
water heating
lighting
electrical appliances

example of use of solar power;;;
eg
passive solar gain
photothermal panel
large windows
south facing windows
high thermal mass materials

[Aphotovoltaics]

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16
Q

Compare the environmental impacts of the use of renewable and non-renewable energy resource. (20)

A

Non renewables
fuel extraction
fuel processing
emissions
solid wastes
equipment manufacture

renewables
equipment manufacture
aesthetics
HEP – flooding, river changes
tidal – barrages
biofuels

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17
Q

Explain how improvements in technology have increased the amount of energy that can be provided by a named fossil fuel. (2)

A

Named technological improvement (for named fossil fuel);
how more energy is made available;
eg
coal gasification/liquifaction
access deep/thin/shattered seams

secondary oil recovery
maintain/increase pressure

tertiary oil recovery
solvents/steam/detergents/bacteria reduce oil viscosity

deviation/snakehead drilling
access small fields

deep drilling
access more reservoirs

fracking
increase gas flow

named exploratory technique
increase proven reserves

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18
Q

Explain how improvements in technology have increased the amount of energy that can be provided by solar power. (2)

A

heliostats
track sun to increase energy harnessed

parabolic reflectors
increase light intensity/focus light

insulation of photothermal panels
reduce heat loss

sun pipe/light tube/light pipe/light tunnel/light well
light to interior rooms

improved storage/secondary fuel
solve intermittency problem

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19
Q

Explain how improvements in technology have increased the amount of energy that can be provided by wind power. (2)

A

blade tip fins
reduce turbulence energy losses

blades fit tightly to nacelle
reduced wind loss through gap

direct drive/to gearbox
reduced energy loss/friction

stronger blades
stress problems solved

longer blades
doubling length increases energy harnessed four-fold

lighter blades
generate at lower wind speeds

vertical axis
wind from any direction/more efficient at lower wind speed/more suitable locations

helical blades
more even rotation

improved storage/secondary fuel
solve intermittency problem

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20
Q

Raised areas, such as hills, are often the best sites for locating wind turbines.

Apart from land use issues, explain why it can be difficult to decide which is the best site on a hill for harnessing wind power. (4)

A

Short term) velocity fluctuations;
seasonal fluctuations;long term fluctuations;
wind direction (changes);
difficulty making measurements at turbine height;
friction with ground/vegetation;
turbulence (caused by ground);
soil stability/erosion/unsuitable geology;
access difficulties;

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21
Q

Although windows can be a significant cause of heat loss, careful design can use windows as a method of gaining energy.

Suggest how building design can use windows to gain energy. (2)

A

South facing/facing the Sun;
large(r)/angled windows;

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22
Q

Suggest how making lighter turbines may reduce environmental damage. (2)

A

Less energy use/pollution/habitat damage/material used;
reason;
eg
extraction
processing (raw materials)
manufacture
transport
installation
disposal at end of life

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23
Q

Suggest why wind power is particularly suitable for electricity generation in remote areas.(2)

A

Small scale generation/simple installation possible;
(small enough for) easy transport;
no fuel inputs;
low maintenance;
energy transport infrastructure not present;
less energy loss in long distance transport;
fewer people that may object/affected;
less interference with radio/radar/microwave links;

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24
Q

Suggest how the half-life of iodine 131 may make it a greater risk to public health than plutonium 239. (1)

A

More energy/radiation released/absorbed/ionising events/free radicals per unit time

25
Q

Outline one method that is used for the storage of high level radioactive waste from nuclear power stations. (2)

A

Named method;
detail of method;;
eg
vitrification/encapsulation
cooling pond/water
(dried) powder
(solid) glass
stainless steel container
concrete/other absorbing material
air/gas cooling (of separated high level waste)
deep burial
geologically/seismically stable area
hydrological isolation/impermeable rock/salt caverns

26
Q

Describe one way in which the overall energy efficiency of power stations has been increased. (2)

A

Method;
description;
eg
Steam condenser
reduce pressure to speed up steam flow (over turbines)

Increasing turbine blade size
absorb energy from low pressure steam

Combined Heat and Power
use of waste heat/district heating

Combined Cycle Gas Turbines
use of both kinetic energy and heat

Peak shaving
storage as potential energy/hydrogen

27
Q

Explain why it would be difficult to use coal to replace petroleum.(1)

A

It is a solid

28
Q

State one major factor that affects the maximum potential for future expansion of wind. (1)

A

Wind – public objection/unreliable/intermittent/low wind velocity/ named ecological land use conflict

29
Q

State one major factor that affects the maximum potential for future expansion of HEP . (1)

A

HEP – few suitable sites/habitat loss/permeable rocks/unsuitable topography/land use conflict

30
Q

State one major factor that affects the maximum potential for future expansion of landfill . (1)

A

Landfill gas – amount of landfill waste production/low setup costs/ competition with recycling/landfill tax/financial disincentive;

31
Q

State one major factor that affects the maximum potential for future expansion of biomass . (1)

A

Biomass – land availability/competition (with food)/habitat loss

32
Q

What is meant by the term embodied energy? (2)

A

(energy used in)
resource mining;
chemical extraction/processing;
manufacture/assembly;
transport;
installation/construction

33
Q

The future contribution of different energy resources to the overall energy supply will partly depend on the development of efficient new technologies.

Explain how tertiary recovery of oil increases the recovery rate. (2)

A

reduced viscosity;
using solvents/named solvent/temperature increase/steam/bacteria/microbes/Xanthonbacteria/detergent

34
Q

Outline the advantages of using in-stream tidal turbines instead of tidal barrages. (2)

A

greater number of possible sites/small scale/lower unit cost;
[R unqualified cheaper]

lower named environmental impact;;
eg
migration/movement barrier
tidal range/loss of breeding/feeding areas
flow rate turbidity/sedimentation
pollution concentration
barrage construction habitat loss
material for barrage
embodied energy
aesthetics

35
Q

Describe how improvements in technology have increased the amount of energy that can be harnessed using wind power. (2)

A

named design change;
how output is changed;
eg
blade fin tips
reduced friction/turbulence

aerodynamics/blade shape (for energy capture)
reduced stalling

air leakage capture
reduced energy/kinetic energy loss

longer blades/larger diameter
greater swept area

carbon fibre/composite/lighter blades
larger blades/spin at lower wind speeds

stronger/neodymium/rare earth magnets
more efficient generator

direct drive/no gear box
reduced friction

stiffer blades
operate at higher wind speeds

36
Q

Describe how improvements in technology have increased the amount of energy that can be harnessed using photovoltaic and photothermal solar power. (2)

A

named design change;;;
how output is changed linked to design;;;
eg
heliostat [A track the sun]
angle of incidence optimum/90°/more intense insolation

new panel materials/named material/surface/colour/low albedo
more efficient light capture

parabolic reflector
increased intensity/focus

self-cleaning surface
reduced light loss from dust

multilayer absorbers (photovoltaic)
wider range of wavelengths

greater internal reflection (photovoltaic)
increased light absorption/reduced reflection

glass panels (photothermal)
greenhouse effect

good conductor/thin pipes (photothermal)
more efficient/rapid/increased heat transfer

greater proportion of panel covered by (water filled) pipe/more piping per unit area

more efficient/rapid/increased heat transfer

37
Q

Suggest how the production of a named pollutant, other than smoke, may be reduced by the use of a named secondary fuel. (1)

A

CO2/SO2/NOx/CO/HCs/radioactive waste/named pollutant not released [R smoke]
and
named secondary fuel (eg electricity, hydrogen) for named use

38
Q

All energy resources result in the release of some carbon emissions.

Discuss the extent to which HEP may be considered a carbon-free energy resource. (4)

A

no use of carbon fuel/no CO2 released during generation;
intermittent use reduces fossil fuel use to meet demand peaks;

(embodied energy of) cement/metals/named material;
(fossil fuel use in) extraction/transport/construction;

(fossil fuels used in) vehicles for maintenance;

methane from DOM in reservoir;
(CO2 released by) deforestation of reservoir site;

for pumped storage HEP:
CO2 released by primary electricity resource;

39
Q

The generating capacity of hydroelectric power (HEP) in the UK is 3% of the total electricity supply.

Explain why it is difficult to find suitable sites in the UK for a big expansion of HEP output. (3)

A

lack of high enough head/fall in height;
lack of narrow exits(for dam construction);
permeable geology;
unstable geology;
catchment areas too small/low rainfall/small water volume;
named land use conflict;

[R seismic activity]
[R isolated from grid, too far from consumers]

40
Q

Explain the difference between the terms exposure and contamination as applied to ionising radiation. (2)

A

exposure – absorption of radiation;
contamination – contact with/carrying of the (radioactive) source

41
Q

Batteries that use mercury are banned in most countries.

Why are greater safety precautions needed when using organic mercury compounds than when using inorganic mercury compounds? (1)

A

(organic) more toxic/more completely absorbed

42
Q

A new design of battery is the ‘bio-battery’. This design is based on glucose rather than on metals such as lead, nickel or cadmium.

Suggest three advantages of using bio-batteries rather than batteries based on metals. (3)

A

renewable (energy source);
instant refuelling possible;
lower embodied energy;

less named resource extraction damage/more abundant; biodegradable;

named lower cost feature;
eg
resource extraction
waste disposal
recycling

43
Q

What form of energy is stored in batteries? (1)

A

chemical

44
Q

Explain how peak shaving is used to reduce energy losses in the electricity supply industry. (2)

A

storage of surplus energy;
use in times of shortage/pumped storage HEP/ description of pumped storage HEP/hydrogen economy/description of hydrogen economy

45
Q

Explain how the waste water from the condensers may be used to increase the overall efficiency of a coal-fired power station. (2)

A

Heat recovery/heat exchanger/Combined Heat and Power;
named use of hot water;
eg
greenhouse heating
fish farm heating
district heating
space heating
cleaning

46
Q

Explain how energy loss through walls may be reduced. (2)

A

Feature of wall with explanation of heat loss reduction:

named material – low (thermal) conductivity;
building design – reduce surface area (:vol ratio);
earth – sheltered building – reduce contact with cold air/convection;
reduced internal temperature – reduce temperature gradient/difference;
fill wall cavity – reduce convection;
named reflective material – reduced radiation

47
Q

Explain the difference between a resource that is renewable and one that is non-depletable. (2)

A

renewable: replaces itself quickly/within a human lifetime;
non-depletable: exploitation rate cannot reduce supply

48
Q

Explain how the use of a named low-energy appliance reduces energy use. (2)

A

named low-energy appliance;
how appliance reduces energy use;

eg
improved conversion efficiency of light bulbs

49
Q

Outline how the location of a windfarm may be selected to reduce land-use conflicts. (4)

A

Site selection so that:

named infrastructure feature avoided;;
eg
aircraft flight paths/shipping lanes
radar/radio interference
interference with fishing

named ecological impact reduced;;
eg bird strikesbat deaths
cetacean disturbance
important ground vegetation
ecologically protected areas

named impact on humans reduced;
eg
low aesthetic impact near residential areas
low aesthetic impact in scenic areas
low noise/flickering nuisance

50
Q

Suggest how the optimum angle for a solar panel could be found. (3)

A

maximum reading from light/ meter/Watt meter/volt and amp meter/electricity output of solar panel/minimum shadow;
bright sunlight;
times of day/year;

51
Q

c) Describe one method that is used at power stations to reduce the temperature of effluent water

A

cooling towers/heat exchangers/combined heat and power/CHP;
heat transfer to air/atmosphere/evaporation (in cooling tower);
[R reference to steam]
hot water for named use/glasshouses/district heating/
aquaculture;
description of how method w

52
Q

Suggest why low head turbines are more suitable for use in rural areas than high head HEP schemes (5)

A
  • fewer locational restraints than larger high head turbine projects
  • sufficient for low demand/smaller population
  • can be used for lower velocities/flow rate
    -allows fish to pass through without damage
    -less infrastructure/maintenance needed
53
Q

Suggest one reason why low head turbine schemes may not be installed at suitable sites in rural areas (1 mark)

A

-lack of local funding
-local objecting due to aesthetics

54
Q

Explain how pumped storage HEP can be used to meet the demand for electricity during a 24-hour period(3)

A

-surplus electricity used to pump water up to the top of a reservoir
- stored at GPE
-water released to match fluctuations in demand
-quick/rapid response

55
Q

Explain how fuels used in plutonium and thorium nuclear reactors release energy that can be used to generate electricity (4)

A

Nuclear power reactors use heat produced during atomic fission to boil water and produce pressurized steam. The steam is routed through the reactor steam system to spin large turbines blades that drive magnetic generators to produce electricity.

56
Q

Outline one named method that is used to manage high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power stations (2)

A
57
Q

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels compared with other renewable energy sources (4)

A

Advantages:
the supply rate of energy crops can be controlled
they are considered ‘carbon neutral’
Biofuels can be stored until needed- easy to match supply to demand

Disadvantages:
large areas of farmland required
energy density of straw wood etc is lower than fossil fuels

58
Q

Explain how hydraulic fracturing increases the recovery rate of natural gas (2)

A

Any two from:
* water / CO2 / sand grains / solvents at high pressure
* creates fractures / fissures / cracks in rock
* increased permeability / secondary permeability / greater ease of
flow / gas released from rock

59
Q

Explain how the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing can be reduced (3)

A

Explanation including any three from:
* avoid named sensitive area / surface activities
* directional / horizontal drilling allows large area to be exploited from
a single site
* not near aquifers / water sources
* use of non-toxic chemicals
* geologically stable areas / no faults
* minimum depth
* noise reduction methods

AQA Environmental science questions (10 decks)

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