energy resources Flashcards
What are energy resources used for?
Generating electricity, heating, and transport
What is a major environmental concern associated with some energy resources?
They produce CO₂, leading to global warming
What is a characteristic of renewable energy resources?
They can be replenished as they are used
What is a pro of using wind energy?
Does not produce CO₂
What is a con of wind energy?
Not reliable, turbines make noise and spoil the view
What is a pro of solar energy?
Does not produce CO₂
What is a con of solar energy?
Doesn’t work if the sun isn’t shining, solar panels are expensive
What is a pro of wave energy?
Does not produce CO₂
What is a con of wave energy?
Doesn’t work if the sea is calm or too rough
What is a pro of tidal energy?
Does not produce CO₂, tides are predictable
What is a pro of biomass/biofuel?
The fuel is cheap, we won’t run out of waste
What is a pro of hydroelectric power?
No fuel costs, provides immediate response to sudden increase in demand for electricity
What is a pro of geothermal energy?
Does not produce CO₂, cheap to run
What are non-renewable energy resources?
Resources that will eventually run out
What is a pro of fossil fuels?
Reliable, provides immediate response to sudden increase in demand for electricity
What is a con of fossil fuels?
Produce CO₂, which is a greenhouse gas and can contribute to global warming
What is a pro of nuclear energy?
Reliable, does not produce CO₂
What is a con of nuclear energy?
Radioactive waste is expensive to dispose of safely
Fill in the blank: Farmers grow crops for fuel, so there may not be enough _______ grown.
food
What is a con of hydroelectric power?
Expensive to build, dams flood farmland, rotting vegetation can release carbon dioxide and methane
What is a con of tidal energy?
There aren’t many places in the world which are suitable
True or False: Renewable energy resources do not produce CO₂.
True
