Energy resources - Topic 2

Question 1

Definition of renewable?

Answer 1

Produces at the same rate that is it used. (Doesn’t run out)

Question 2

Definition of non-renewable?

Answer 2

Used up at a faster rate that they are produced- has a finite supply

Question 3

Non-renewable energy resources will ___ ___ one day.

Answer 3

run out

Question 4

Renewable energy resources will ___ ___ ___.

Answer 4

Not run out

Question 5

What are the three main fossil fuels?

Answer 5

Coal, oil , (natural) gas

Question 6

Name 7 renewable energy sources.

Answer 6

Solar, Wind, Tidal, geothermal, bio-fuel, hydroelectricity, wave

Question 7

What is a non-renewable energy resource that isn’t a fossil fuel?

Answer 7

Nuclear energy

Question 8

Are fossil fuels reliable?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

How does wind power provide electricity?

Answer 9

• Wind turns the blades of a wind turbine, which turns an internal generator
• The kinetic energy is transferred into electrostatic energy/ electricity

Question 10

Cons of wind power

Answer 10

• spoil the view: need 1500 wind turbines to replace one coal- fired power
• very noisy: annoying for people living nearby
• unreliable: if wind stops to if wind is too strong, its impossible to increase supply when there’s extra demand
• initial cost are high: but no fuel or running costs

Question 11

Pros of wind power?

Answer 11

• no fuel costs and minimal running costs
• no pollution
• no permanent damage: if removed, noise is also gone and view is back to normal

Question 12

How does solar power provide electricity?

Answer 12

Sunlight hits solar cells which transfer it directly into electrostatic energy in electric currents.

Question 13

Cons of solar power?

Answer 13

• initial costs are very high
• takes up a lot of space
• needs to have sunlight to doesn’t work
• can’t increase power output when there’s extra demand

Question 14

Pros of solar power?

Answer 14

• running costs are almost at nil
• no pollution
• best source to charge batteries which dont need much energy : calculators, watches

Question 15

How does geothermal energy provide electricity?

Answer 15

Hot, nuclear rocks near to the surface in volcanic areas are used to heat water. The water becomes steam, which rises and turns a turbine. This turns a generator, which provides electricity.

Question 16

Cons of geothermal energy>

Answer 16

• aren’t many suitable locations
• cost of building a power plant is often high compared to the amount of energy it produces

Question 17

Where does geothermal work best?

Answer 17

volcanic areas

Question 18

Pros of geothermal energy

Answer 18

• brilliant free energy that is reliable
• little damage to environment

Question 19

Where does solar work best?

Answer 19

remote sunny places and small devices

Question 20

Where does wind work best?

Answer 20

exposed places like moors or on the coast

Question 21

How does hydroelectricity provide electricity?

Answer 21

water is steadily released from a man-made dam in a high-up area. It flows downhill and turns a turbine, which turns a generator, which generates electricity.

Question 22

Pros of hydroelectric power

Answer 22

• no pollution
• can provide immediate response to an increased demand for electricity
• no fuel cost + minimal running costs

Question 23

Cons for hydroelectric power

Answer 23

• big impact on the environment: flooding of the valley (rotting vegetation releases methane and CO2)
  Loss of habitat
• unreliable if drought occurs
• initial cost are high
• look ugly once dried up

Question 24

Where does hydroelectric power work best?

Answer 24

in valleys or high-up areas

Question 25

How does wave power generate electricity?

Answer 25

small turbines floating in the ocean are spun by the waves. This spins internal generators and generates electricity. Electricity is transported by wires on the seabed.

Question 26

Cons of wave power

Answer 26

• disturbance to the seabed and habitats of marine animals
• hazardous to boats
• ruins the view
• fairly unreliable: waves tend to die out when wind drops
• never like to produce energy on a large scale
• initial costs are high

Question 27

pros of wave power

Answer 27

• very useful on small islands
• no pollution
• No fuel costs + minimal running cost

Question 28

Where does wave power work best?

Answer 28

around the coast, in the sea

Question 29

How does tidal barrages generate electricity?

Answer 29

• barrages are built across estuaries.
• The tide fills the estuary and water is let out into the sea through a turbine at a controlled speed.
• The turbine spins and turns a generator which generates electricity.

Question 30

Cons of tidal power

Answer 30

• prevents free access by boats
• spoils the view
• alters habitats of the wildlife: wading birds, seas creatures, migrating animals
• drawback: the height of the tide is variable so lower (neap) tides will provide much lesson energy than the big ‘spring’ tides
• don’t work when water level is same on either side- happens 4 times a day

Question 31

Pros for tidal power

Answer 31

• no pollution
• pretty reliable: happen twice a day without fail, and always near to predicted height
• no fuel cost + minimal running costs

Question 32

Where does tidal power work best?

Answer 32

River estuaries

Question 33

How does biomass generate electricity?

Answer 33

biofuels (can be solid, liquid, gas )are burned to heat water, which becomes steam and rises to turn a turbine. The turbine turns a generator which generates electricity.

Question 34

Cons of biomass power

Answer 34

• growing crops specially for bio-fuels mean that there isn’t enough space or water to meet demands
• some regions, large areas of forest have been cleared to make room to grow bi-fuels, resulting in lots of species losing their natural habitats.
  -cost to refine bio-fuels is very high
• can’t respond to immediate energy demands

Question 35

Pros of biomass power

Answer 35

-carbon neutral (only keep planting trees at same rate)
- fairly reliable: crops take relatively short amount of time to grow and different crops can be grown all year round

Question 36

Where does biomass energy work the best?

Answer 36

anywhere with large spaces, sometimes forests or plantations

Question 37

What can take years to do with a nuclear power plant?

Answer 37

decommission

Question 38

What do fossil fuels release?

Answer 38

CO2: greenhouse gas, traps heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming.
Sulfur dioxide: causes acids rain, harmful to trees and soils and can have far-reaching effects in ecosystems.