Energy Resources -Physics Paper 1

Question 1

Name some non-renewable energy resources

Answer 1

Coal, oil, nuclear fuels, natural gas

Question 2

What are fossil fuels?

Answer 2

Natural resources that form underground over millions of years. They are typically burnt to provide enrgy.

Question 3

Why are fossil fuels non-renewable?

Answer 3

Because they are not being made at the same rate they’re being replaced and so will run out eventually

Question 4

What are some renewable energy resources?

Answer 4

Wind, tidal, solar, bio-fuel, waves, hydroelectric, geothermal

Question 5

What do we use fuels for?

Answer 5

transport, heating, electricity

Question 6

How does wind power work

Answer 6

The wind pushes the blades of the turbine. The kinetic energy of the blades is then transferred to electrical energy by the generator inside the blades

Question 7

Where are wind turbines generally located?

Answer 7

Places that are exposed to lots of wind, such as moors or the coast

Question 8

How reliable is wind power?

Answer 8

There’s no power when the wind stops and so it’s impossible to increase supply when there’s extra demand

Question 9

What is wind power mainly used for?

Answer 9

generating electricity

Question 10

What are the costs involved with wind power?

Answer 10

There are high initial costs, low running costs, and no fuel costs

Question 11

What are the pros of wind power?

Answer 11

• No pollution/greenhouse gases are produced
• They provide no permanent damage to landscapes- once you remove the turbines, you remove the noise and the view returns back to normal

Question 12

What are the cons of wind power?

Answer 12

• They spoil the view/eyesore
• They are very noisy
• Not the most reliable

Question 13

How does solar power (solar cells) work?

Answer 13

They absorb light energy from the sun and convert it into electrical energy

Question 14

Where are solar cells generally located?

Answer 14

In sunny areas

Question 15

How reliable is solar power?

Answer 15

There’s no electricity when it’c cloudy or dark. Also, solar energy is only 10% efficient

Question 16

What are the costs involved with solar power?

Answer 16

The solar cells are expensive to buy and install, but cheap to run

Question 17

What are the pros of solar energy?

Answer 17

-No greenhouse gases/pollutants are produced

Question 18

What are the cons of solar energy?

Answer 18

• Not the most reliable

- Only 10% efficient

Question 19

What are solar cells used for?

Answer 19

Calculators, watches, satellites, powering street signs

Question 20

How does geothermal energy work?

Answer 20

Hot water from the ground is heated and used to turn a turbine, which turns a turbine and generates electricity

Question 21

Where are geothermal power plants located?

Answer 21

In volcanic areas

Question 22

Is geothermal power reliable?

Answer 22

Yes

Question 23

What is geothermal energy mainly used for?

Answer 23

Electricity and heating

Question 24

What are the costs involved with geothermal energy?

Answer 24

Building the power stations is very expensive and often high compared to the amount of energy we can get out of it

Question 25

What are the pros of geothermal energy ?

Answer 25

• Reliable

- No polluting/greenhouse gases

Question 26

Describe how hydroelectric power works

Answer 26

Water is stored at the top of a reservoir. When water is released, it falls down and the gravitational potential energy is transferred to electrical energy, which spins the turbine and turns the genrator, which generates electricity

Question 27

Where are hydroelectric power stations located?

Answer 27

Near rivers or seas

Question 28

What is the most well known hydroelectric power station in the world?

Answer 28

The hoover Dam on the Colorado river in the USA

Question 29

How reliable is hydroelectric power?

Answer 29

Although we have a good water supply, it’s vulnerable to hot weather(droughts). However, hydroelectric power can be deployed quickly to meet demand

Question 30

What are the pros of hydroelectric power?

Answer 30

• No pollutants/greenhouse gases are produced
• Excess energy can be stored
• They can provide an immediate response to an increased demand for electricity

Question 31

What are the cons of hydroelectric power?

Answer 31

• The flooding of the valley leads to rotting vegetation , which releases methane and carbon dioxide.
• Also, there’s a possible loss of habitat for both humans and animals because of the large areas that need to be flooded.
• The reservoirs can look very unsightly when they dry up

Question 32

What are the costs involved with hydroelectric power?

Answer 32

Initial costs are high, no fuel costs, minimal running costs

Question 33

Why is almost all of the electricity generated in Norway from hydroelectricity ?

Answer 33

Because Norway is very mountainous with lots of rivers and valleys. This makes it ideal for hydroelectric power