Energy sources

Question 1

Pollution defination

Answer 1

The introduction of pollutants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. They take the form of chemical substances or energy (e.g., light). They can be forign or natural substances

Question 2

Unit of radioactivity

Answer 2

Becqueral (Bq)

Question 3

PBq meaning

Answer 3

1 million billion Bq

Question 4

Unit of radiation dose

Answer 4

Sievert (Sv)

Question 5

What is a lethal radiation dose, in mSv?

Answer 5

10,000 mSv

Question 6

Physical forms of release

Answer 6

• Noble gases
• Volatile elements
• Gaseous 3H combined with water, turning into a liquid of vapour

Question 7

Important Radionuclides

Answer 7

• t1/2 (8 days halflife)
• 137C (30.2 years halflife)
• Abundent in reaction core
• Easily escaped
• Easily injested by animals or people

Question 8

Chernobyl

Answer 8

• April 1986, reactor 4 exploded
• caused by overriding faulty safety system. Political pressures at play
• Fire lasted 10 days, releasing noble gases (30% of which were 137C). 1885pBq in total
• 28 died
• 336,000 evacuted
• 4000 fatal cancers diagnosed linked to 20msv contact
• $250,000-500,000 million to clean up

Question 9

Fukushima

Answer 9

• March 2011, earthquake triggered tsunami
• Emergency generators failed, hydrogen build up leading to explosions 12th - 15th
• Released 9-15 pbq f 137 C. 10,000 pBq in total with noble gases
• 167 clean crew exposed to 100msv
• No direct deaths
• 0.7% local residents experienced 100Msv
• $100,000-500,000 million to clean up

Question 10

2016 assessment

Answer 10

• 50 more years for oil/gas
• 150+ years for coal

Question 11

What are some examples of unefficent use of power?

Answer 11

• 25% household heating lost through windows
• Standby power responsible for 1% release of carbon dioxide.

Question 12

Hydrostatic power

Answer 12

• Main source of power in some countries (Norway for example)
• Not competive with fossil fuels de to lack of funding
• Local public resistance (NIMBY)
• 2016, suppilied 71% of all renewable power
• Not suitable for all energy needs (Car fuel)
• Climate change creates uncertainity
• 1970- Englands first hydroelectric plant

Question 13

Wind energy

Answer 13

• Could supply 20% global electricity by 2050
• 1991, first offshore wind farm
• Generated 42% electricity in the netherlands
• Modern designs create little sound
• Birds are affected
• Offshore farms can create artificial reefs, affecting sediment flow but boosts marine biodiveristy

Question 14

Solar power

Answer 14

• Can be used passivly or actively
• Electricity generated with no noise or pollution
• Requires minimal maintenance, no water needed
• Dust and temperatures may affect performance
• Cost effective

Question 15

Biomass

Answer 15

• Depended on by 3 billion people for heating and cooking
• No net Carbon Dioxide emissions
• Fuels are either processed or unprocessed
• Can be turned into biodisesal
• takes up farmland, leading to food shortages and rising prices

Question 16

Tidal energy

Answer 16

• Exploitation of all sites could yield 20% electricity in England and Wales

Question 17

Geothermal Energy

Answer 17

• Providie 70% of Iceland’s energy and 90% of all house heating
• Process may induce earthquakes and release GHGs