Fossil Fuels Flashcards
Fossil fuels
Finite resources means cannot be replaced as once extracted from the ground
Coal
Energy created through the burning of coal
Hot water turns the coal into steam and build up high pressure and used the spin a turbine (which is connected to electrical generator creating electricity)
Advantages to coal
Enough coal on earth to last is 100 years
Produces high amounts of electricity
Disadvantage to coal
Co2 emissions when burnt contributing to global warming
Damage to natural land when mining takes place
Natural gas
Commonly produced off shore and transported through pipelines to a gas powered electricity station
Shale gas
Obtained through a process known as cracking large rocks underground
Advantages natural gas
Emits less co2 than coal or oi
UK has shale gas deposits
Disadvantage natural gas
Highly flammable - if there’s a gas leak and explosion can happen
Extraction of gas might cause polllution in waters
Oil
Very little of UKs electricity comes from oil as it’s mainly used for fuels or turned into plastics
Very small amount burned to heat water, create steam, to generate electricity
Advantages oil
Small amount of oil can produce a lot of electricity
Easy to store and transport
Disadvantage oil
Creates significant amount of air pollution when burned
Considerate impact on water, land use and disposal
Types of fossil fuels
Oil
Gas
Coal
Nuclear power
Huge amount of energy can be produced through the nuclear processes using a small amount of uranium. Energy produced as heat through the fission.
Advantages nuclear
No harmful gas are released
Process is clean and efficient
Disadvantage nuclear
Waste the process creates is radioactive and creates serious damage to environment
Cost of nuclear power stations is very large
Renewable energy examples
Wind Solar Tidal Hydroelectric Biomass
Advantages wind power
Wind energy is constantly available and sustainable
No costs for wind and running costs is low
Disadvantage wind power
There are times when there’s little or no wind
Make a lot of noise -> disturbs people and wildlife
Many people don’t like how it look and feel it spoils the look of the natural landscape
Solar
Made from photovoltaic cells which harnesses the suns light energy and convert in into electricity.
Advantages solar
Clean renewable energy source
Reduces household energy bills
Need little maintenance and can be used from remote locations
Disadvantage solar
Some people don’t like the look of solar panels
Expensive to install
Only work in sunny conditions
Tidal
The movement of turbines in the water use a generator to convert movement from the tide or waves into electricity.
Advantages tidal
Clearness, renewable energy source
Consistent and predictable
Tidal power lasts for a long time
Disadvantage tidal
Expensive to build
Disturb or harm the sea
Difficult to access for maintenance and repair
