fuel for electicity Flashcards
where do we get biofuels from
methane- Cow farts, decaying rubbish
ethanol
what does remewable mean
you produce it as fast as you use it
what does carbon neutral means
it doesn’t add to carbon dioxide in atmosphere
eg, they may have planted some trees
what is the fuel in a nuclear power station
uranium or plutonium
how do you get energy from uranium
when nucleus of atom splits in two
nuclear fission
becomes very hot
what is the coolant in a nuclear power station
liquid that is pumped through the core and transfers energy
explain wind power
wind turbine is an electrical generator
on top of a tall tower
higher wind speed, more power generated
how does wave power work
uses the waves to make a floating generator move up and down
this turns the generator to it generates electricity
disadvantages with wave power
- don’t produce a constant supply
- lots of cables and building needed
- tidal flow patterns might change
how can we generate hydroelectric power
when rainwater in a reservoir flows downhill
turns an electrical generator
how do tidal power stations work
traps water from each high tide behind a barrage then released high tide into sea through turbines
turbines drive generators in the barrage
how much energy do solar cells convert
less than 10% of the energy that they absorb
when are solar panels useful
- when we need small amounts of electricity
2. in remote places
what is bed about solar cells
- expensive
- need lots of them
- need plenty of sunshine
what does a solar heating panel do
heat water
what’s a solar panel tower
tower surrounded by mirrors
that reflect sunlight into water tank, heating jt and turning generators
where does geothermal energy come from
energy released by radioactive substances deep within the earth
where are geothermal power stations built
volcanic areas
hot rocks below the surface
how do power stations work
by burning fossil fuels and biomass
fuel> boiler> heat water to steam> turns turbine> turns generator> generates electricity
where are burned in coal, oil and natural gas burned
fossil fuel power stations
what is a biofuel
biofuel is a fuel obtained from living or recently living organisms that’s renewable and can be used to generate electricity
what is a solar cell
flat solid cell that converts solar energy directly into energy
how does geothermal energy work
water pumped down to hot rocks to produce steam and the steam drives electricity turbines that generate electricity
how is ionising radiation harmful to living cells
ionising radiation can break molecules into ions.
Which can then take part in other chemical reactions in the living cells.
This may result in the living cells dying, or becoming cancerous.
what are the two ways people can be exposed to radioactive hazards
irradiation
contamination
explain damage by irradiation
The radiation from the material can damage the cells of the person directly.
This is damage by irradiation.
explain damage by contamination
radioactive material can be swallowed or breathed in.
While inside the body, the radiation it emits can cause damage.
. This is damage by contamination.
what’s worse for you contamination or irradiation
contamination causes more damage than irridation because radiation is in ur body for longer Time
