Energy Resources

Question 1

Biofuels - Production

Answer 1

The chemical energy stored in things that were alive are burned and turned into thermal energy stores.

They are renewable, as long as all the trees get cut down.

Question 2

Biofuels - Advantages

Answer 2

Renewable — so long as the trees that are cut down are replaced.
Doesn’t add to the greenhouse effect as it is carbon-neutral
Doesn’t require any specialised equipment and so can be easily used

Question 3

Biofuels - Disadvantages

Answer 3

Large areas of land are required to grow enough trees or allow enough animals to graze

Question 4

Biofuels - Examples

Answer 4

Examples of biofuels are methane gas, manure, waste vegetable oil, straw, nutshells and ethanol (from fermented sugar canes).

Question 5

Nuclear Power - Production

Answer 5

The nucleus of the the atom is unstable and can split into two. This creates thermal energy which is then transferred to electrical.

It is not renewable.

Question 6

Nuclear Power - Advantages

Answer 6

No greenhouse gases given off

Much more energy is transferred from each kilogram of fuel compared to fossil fuels

Question 7

Nuclear Power - Disadvantages

Answer 7

Used fuel rods contain radioactive waste which needs to be safely disposed
Possibility of accidental release of radioactive materials

Question 8

Nuclear Power - Examples

Answer 8

Uranium and plutonium

Question 9

Fossil Fuels - Production

Answer 9

Fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. They are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals and are found beneath the Earth’s surface. Burning fossil fuels transfers energy from chemical to heat energy.

Fossil fuels are not renewable.

Question 11

Fossil Fuels - Advantages

Answer 11

Cheap to excavate

Easily used to transfer to different energy stores

Question 12

Fossil Fuels - Examples

Answer 12

Coal, oil, and natural gas.

Question 13

Geothermal - Production

Answer 13

Cold water is pumped below the ground onto the hot rocks. The steam that comes from the ground is used to make electricity.

Question 14

Geothermal - Advantages

Answer 14

It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
It doesn’t damage/harm the environment

Question 15

Geothermal - Disadvantages

Answer 15

Very few places in the world where this can be done

It is expensive to drill deep underground and lay the pipe.

Question 16

Geothermal - Examples

Answer 16

Build in volcanic areas where the rock is near the surface.

Question 17

Tidal - Production

Answer 17

A tidal power station traps water from each high tide behind a barrage. The water can then be released into the sea through turbines during low tide.

It is renewable.

Question 18

Tidal - Advantages

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Tidal - Disadvantages

Answer 19

The dam/barrage costs a lot to build
The barrage can cause local flooding
Can affects nearby habitats of creatures and plants

Question 20

Tidal - Examples

Answer 20

Near the sea or tidal area.

Question 21

Wind - Production

Answer 21

The wind makes the turbine turn. This is kinetic energy is turned into electrical energy.

Question 22

Wind - Advantages

Answer 22

It is a renewable form of energy
No pollution as nothing gets burned
Turbines are cheap and easy to build

Question 23

Wind - Disadvantages

Answer 23

Create a whining noise when working
Some people consider them unsightly
Only works if it is windy!

Question 24

Wind - Examples

Answer 24

Large open spaces, hills, ocean and windy areas

Question 25

Solar - Production

Answer 25

Energy from the Sun can be used to generate electricity using solar cells or to heat water directly in solar heating panels or a a solar power tank.

It is renewable.

Question 26

Solar - Solar Heating Pannels

Answer 26

Heats water that passes through pipes and on a hot day can supply enough hot water for a home to use
They can be unreliable in areas that are often covered in clouds
Need to be cleaned regularly to work properly

Question 27

Solar - Solar Cells

Answer 27

Transfer less than 10% of the Sun’s energy that they absorb into electricity
Useful where small amounts of electricity are needed (e.g. in calculators) or in remote areas
Expensive to buy but cheap to run
Lots of cells needed and plenty of sunshine to generate enough power to be useful

Question 28

Solar - Examples

Answer 28

Open buildings or on top of buildings

Question 29

Fossil Fuels - Disadvantages

Answer 29

Non-renewable
Emit greenhouse gases when burned
Finite in supply — they will eventually run out