Energy stores

Question 1

Fossil fuels

Answer 1

Energy formed from the decomposition of buried carbon-based organisms that died millions of years ago.
Such as oil, coal and gas

Question 2

Pros and cons of fossil fuels

Answer 2

PROS:
Reliable
Release a lot of energy
Versatile, energy can be used in many different ways
Abundant, we have many
Relatively cheap
CONS:
Releases a lot of carbon dioxide and other pollutants, climate change and acid rain
Non-renewable, they will run out one day

Question 3

Nuclear power

Answer 3

Produces energy by nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium

Question 4

Pros and cons of nuclear power

Answer 4

PROS:
Does not produce carbon dioxide
Reliable
Generates a lot of electricity
CONS:
Non-renewable
Radioactive materials - chance of accident
Decommissioning takes many years and is expensive
Generates radioactive waste - has to be stored

Question 5

Pros and cons of geothermal

Answer 5

PROS:
No carbon dioxide produced
No fuel cost
Renewable
CONS:
Quite expensive
Works in select few places

Question 6

Pros and cons of solar power

Answer 6

PROS:
No fuel cost, reduces electricity bills
Renewable
No carbon dioxide produced
CONS:
Unreliable, no sun no electricity
Very expensive to set up
Storing the electricity is difficult

Question 7

Pros and cons of tidal

Answer 7

PROS:
No carbon dioxide produced
Renewable
Reliable
CONS:
Bad for ecosystems (sea creatures)
Location is limited

Question 8

Pros and cons of biofuel

Answer 8

PROS:
Renewable
Carbon neutral, uses same amount of carbon dioxide produced
CONS:
Requires a lot of labour
Uses a lot of land
Cannot be used in cars

Question 9

Pros and cons of wind power

Answer 9

PROS:
No carbon dioxide produced
Renewable
Low running costs as no fuel needed: wind is free
CONS:
Noise pollution
Visual appearance
Not reliable
Can kill birds

Question 10

Pros and cons of hydroelectric

Answer 10

PROS:
Renewable
Reliable
No carbon dioxide produced
CONS:
Very expensive
Bad for ecosystems (salmon cant migrate)

Question 11

Pros and cons of wave power

Answer 11

PROS:
No carbon dioxide produced
Renewable
Reliable
CONS:
Effect on marine life
Only works in certain areas (sea)

Question 12

How does geothermal energy work?

Answer 12

Method of generating elec using hot rocks inside the Earth to produce steam and drive a turbine

Question 13

How does wave energy work?

Answer 13

Kinetic energy of moving waves drive a turbine to make electricity

Question 14

How does tidal energy work?

Answer 14

Water moves up and down during tides
GPE turns a turbine which produces energy for electricity etc

Question 15

How does hydroelectric power work?

Answer 15

Built near a dam where the water piles up releasing gravitational energy
This is transferred to kinetic as it travels down through tubes in the dam
In the dam is also generators which the moving water turns
This produces electricity

Question 16

Where is tidal energy method’s best location?

Answer 16

In an estuary where there a sea with access to the river mouth

Question 17

If there is a low demand of hydroelectric energy what does the dam do?

Answer 17

Pumps the water from the generator up to the dam, as it requires energy to do so you can afford to use energy that way

Question 18

What is the ultimate producer of wind electricity?

Answer 18

The sun, as it causes differences in air pressures which causes wind