Energy resources and electricity generation Flashcards
How does wind power generate electricity?
- Kinetic energy from moving air (wind) turns the turbine blades.
- The turbine spins a generator, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.
- No fuel is required, and no harmful emissions are produced.
- Output depends on wind speed—if there is no wind, no electricity is generated.
How does hydroelectric power generate electricity?
- Gravitational potential energy in water stored behind a dam is converted to kinetic energy as it flows downward.
- Flowing water spins turbine blades, which drive a generator.
- The generator converts kinetic energy into electrical energy.
- Reliable and can provide energy on demand by controlling water flow.
How do tidal and wave power generate electricity?
- Tidal: Water moving in and out due to tides drives turbines to produce electricity.
- Wave: The up-and-down motion of waves moves floats or air chambers, turning turbines.
- Both methods rely on kinetic energy from moving water, converted into electrical energy.
- Tidal power is predictable but requires coastal infrastructure.
How does geothermal energy generate electricity?
- Thermal energy from hot underground rocks heats water.
- Steam produced rises to turn turbines, which drive a generator.
- The generator converts kinetic energy into electrical energy.
- Works best in volcanic areas but requires expensive drilling.
How do solar heating systems and solar cells generate electricity?
- Solar heating systems: Absorb sunlight to heat water directly.
- Solar cells (photovoltaic cells): Convert light energy directly into electrical energy.
- No moving parts and no fuel required, but solar cells have low efficiency.
- Only work during daylight and require large areas to generate significant power.
How do fossil fuels generate electricity?
- Chemical energy in coal, oil, or gas is burned, converting it to thermal energy.
- Heat is used to boil water into steam, which turns turbines.
- Turbines drive a generator, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.
- Produces CO₂, contributing to global warming, but is reliable and generates large amounts of power.
How does nuclear power generate electricity?
- Nuclear fission of uranium or plutonium releases large amounts of thermal energy.
- Heat converts water into steam, which turns a turbine connected to a generator.
- The generator converts kinetic energy into electrical energy.
- No CO₂ emissions, but produces radioactive waste that must be carefully managed.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of wind power?
Advantages:
- Renewable, no greenhouse gases, low operating cost.
Disadvantages:
- Unreliable (depends on wind), can be noisy, requires large land areas.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power?
Advantages:
- Renewable, reliable, can store energy and release it on demand.
Disadvantages:
- Dams can flood large areas, expensive to build, disrupts ecosystems.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tidal and wave power?
Advantages:
- Predictable (tides follow cycles), renewable, no fuel costs.
Disadvantages:
- Limited to coastal locations, high initial costs, may harm marine life.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal energy?
Advantages:
- Reliable, no fuel required, low carbon emissions.
Disadvantages:
- Only works in volcanic regions, expensive to drill and install.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy?
Advantages:
- Renewable, no CO₂ emissions, useful in remote locations.
Disadvantages:
- Only works in daylight, large areas needed, low efficiency of solar cells.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels?
Advantages:
- Reliable, high energy output, existing infrastructure.
Disadvantages:
- Produces CO₂ (global warming), non-renewable, air pollution.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power?
Advantages:
- No CO₂ emissions, high energy output, reliable.
Disadvantages:
- Produces radioactive waste, expensive to build and decommission plants.
