Energy Resources and Electricity Generation

Question 1

What are the energy transfers involved in Wind?

Answer 1

Wind turbines produce electricity with kinetic energy from the wind
This pushes the turbines connected to a generator which converts kinetic energy to electrical

Question 2

What are the energy transfers involved in Water?

Answer 2

Water stored from a height is released which turns turbines of hydroelectric dams
This is connected to generators which convert kinetic energy to electrical

Question 3

What are the energy transfers involved in Geothermal Resources?

Answer 3

Thermal energy from ground heats up water to steam
This steam turns turbines which are connected to generators which convert kinetic energy to electrical

Question 4

What are the energy transfers involved in Solar Heating Systems?

Answer 4

Solar panels use thermal energy from the sun to heat up water in pipes
This water is stored in a tank
It’s then moved through small pipes on the solar panels and will return to the tank at a hotter temperature

Question 5

What are the energy transfers involved in Solar Cells?

Answer 5

Thermal energy transferred by the sun is turned into electrical energy and produces a current which therefore produces electricity

Question 6

What are some examples of fossil fuels?

Answer 6

Coal, oil and natural gases

Question 7

What are the energy transfers involved in Fossil Fuels?

Answer 7

Chemical energy stored in fossil fuels is transferred into heat energy as it causes water to evaporate while being heated
Steam goes down narrow tubes whilst spinning turbines
The turbines are connected to generators which turn kinetic energy to electrical

Question 8

What are the energy transfers involved in Nuclear Power?

Answer 8

Nuclear energy transferred into heat as it evaporates water
Steam from water spins turbines
The turbines are connected to generators which turn kinetic energy to electrical

Question 9

What are the advantages of Wind?

Answer 9

• Renewable energy source.
• No fuel costs.
• No harmful greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of Wind?

Answer 10

• Very loud
• Ruin the scenery of a countryside for its residents.
• The amount of energy generated depends on the wind – no wind, no electricity

Question 11

What are the advantages of Water - Hydroelectric power?

Answer 11

• Renewable energy source
• No fuel costs.
• Very reliable
• Easily switched on

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of Water - Hydroelectric power?

Answer 12

• Hydroelectricity dams flood farmland and push people from their homes.
• The rotting vegetation underwater releases methane, a toxic greenhouse gas.

Question 13

What are the advantages of Geothermal Resources?

Answer 13

• Renewable energy source
• No fuel costs
• No harmful greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of Geothermal Resources?

Answer 14

• Most parts of the world don’t have access to geothermal energy sources

Question 15

What are the advantages of Solar Heating Systems?

Answer 15

• Renewable energy source
• No fuel costs
• No harmful greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of Solar Heating Systems?

Answer 16

• Space needed for installing solar cells.
• They don’t generate energy at night when the sun is not out.

Question 17

What are the advantages of Solar Cells?

Answer 17

• Renewable energy source
• No fuel costs
• No harmful greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of Solar Cells?

Answer 18

• The temperature of the water can vary depending on the type of climate, so in some areas a conventional boiler may
  need to be installed.
• They do not work at night.

Question 19

What are the advantages of Fossil Fuels?

Answer 19

• Cheap
• Easy to get (at the moment)
• A lot of infrastructure is designed to suit the usage of fossil fuels.

Question 20

What are the disadvantages of Fossil Fuels?

Answer 20

• Non-renewable energy source, limited supply.
• Coal and oil release sulfur dioxide gas when they burn, which causes breathing problems for living creatures and contributes toacid rain.
• Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide when they burn, which contributes to global warming.

Question 21

What are the advantages of Nuclear Power?

Answer 21

• Don’t release greenhouse gases.
• Don’t release sulfur dioxide.
• 1 kg of nuclear fuel produces millions of times more energy than 1 kg of coal.

Question 22

What are the disadvantages of Nuclear Power?

Answer 22

• Non-renewable energy source, limited supply
• Even though modern reactors are very safe, if an accident happens, a large amount of radioactive material could be released into the environment.
• Lots of energy must be put into keeping nuclear waste stored safely because it’s very damaging for the environment.