Generating Electricity

Question 1

Definition of non-renewable energy

Answer 1

A non-renewable energy resource is something that cannot be replaced once it has been used.

Question 2

What is one of the main energy resources? Give examples of this. What are they? How are they non-renewable resources?

Answer 2

One of the main energy resources is the supply of fossil fuels. Coal, oil and natural gas are all fossil fuels. Fossil fuels have been formed in the ground from dead vegetation by a process that has taken millions of years. Once we have used them, it will take millions of years for new reserves of these fuels to be formed. Therefore, fossil fuels are examples of non-renewable energy resources.

Question 3

Advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels

Answer 3

Disadvantages- release carbon dioxide and releases sulfur dioxide which makes acid rain.

Advantages - they are easy to find, cheap and reliable.

Question 4

Why is electricity not an energy resource? Where is electricity mostly generated? What other ways can it be generated?

Answer 4

It is not an energy resource because it has to be generated using other resources of energy. For example, you can harness different types of resources of energy to generate electricity, which includes solar energy, tidal energy, wave power, wind power etc.

Most of the electricity around the world is generated in power stations. Electricity can also be generated using renewable energy resources.

Question 5

Definition of renewable energy. Give an example of this resource and why. Disadvantages and advantages of this

Answer 5

A renewable energy resource is one that will not run out.

As wood is cut for fuel, new fast growing trees are planted to replace those that are cut down.

However, burning wood produces pollution and greenhouse gases.

Wood is also more valuable if it is not burned because it can be used in building or making furniture.

Question 6

Solar Energy

Answer 6

Solar cells transfer light energy directly to electrical energy

Solar cells are also called photovoltaic cells

Solar Cells are around 15% efficient - this means that 15% of the Sun’s energy is transferred to useful electric energy

Electricity can also be generated using solar heating.

Question 7

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Energy

Answer 7

Advantages:

1. Renewable
2. Size is flexible
3. Green energy - doesn’t release polluting gases such as carbon dioxide

Disadvantages:

1. The solar cells and power stations take up a lot of space. This space could be used as fields for farming for example.
2. If it is cloudy, which means the Sun would be covered, the solar cells won’t works as their source is the Sun.
3. Doesn’t work in some places, for example, in the North.

Question 8

Nuclear Power

Answer 8

Nuclear reactors (produces and controls the release of energy) uses uranium to produce energy.

Uranium is in limited supply and one it has been used, you can’t use it again and therefore nuclear power is an non-renewable resource.

Question 9

Advantages and disadvantages of Nuclear Power

Answer 9

Advantages:

1. Green energy - no polluting gases
2. Lasts a long time
3. Very low fuel costs.

Disadvantages:

1. Long time to build the nuclear reactors
2. Non-renewable
3. Expensive to dispose safely

Question 10

Tidal Power

Answer 10

The tides generate power by turning turning turbines as the tide flows into a blocked river estuary (a river meets the sea). As the tide falls and the water flows, the turbines turn.

The energy for the movement of the tides is provided by the Moon and the Sun. this means that Tidal power is a renewable source.

Question 11

Advantages and disadvantages of Tidal Power

Answer 11

Advantages:

1. Renewable
2. Green energy
3. Known around the world which means people use it

Disadvantages:

1. Not many places around the world can have dams be built
2. If they are built, it is likely that it will damage wildlife and can’t get to the other side of the dam or their habitats are destroyed.
3. The dams are expensive to build.

Question 12

Wave Power

Answer 12

Energy can also be extracted from waves. The waves rise and pushes past the turbine. The spinning turbine is used to drive a generator which creates electricity.

Question 13

Advantages and disadvantages of Wave Power

Answer 13

Advantages:

1. Renewable
2. Green energy
3. No cost
4. Reliable

Disadvantages:

1. Waves are not strong all the time
2. Not nice to look at
3. Waves are only around the coast and not in the middle.

Question 14

Wind Power

Answer 14

Wind causes the blades of the turbines to rotate. You would want the blades to be as large as possible so it can catch more wind and catch more energy.

Question 15

Advantages and disadvantages of Wind Power

Answer 15

Advantages:

1. Renewable
2. Green energy
3. Fairly cheap

Disadvantages:

1. Not windy all the time
2. Sometimes dangerous to birds
3. Some people think that the wind turbines don’t look nice

Question 16

Geothermal Power

Answer 16

Geothermal Power uses the Earth’s natural heat from its core to boil water. The steam is then used to turn turbine generators which transfer kinetic energy into electricity.

Question 17

Advantages and disadvantages of Geothermal Power

Answer 17

Advantages:

1. Renewable
2. Sustainable
3. No fuel required meaning no fossil fuels which means green energy

Disadvantages:

1. Expensive
2. Causes earthquakes
3. Location restricted

Question 18

Hydroelectric Power

Answer 18

Power plants generate electricity by using the motion of water to spin turbines

Question 19

Advantages and disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power

Answer 19

Advantages:

1. Renewable
2. Green energy
3. Reliable

Disadvantages:

1. Expensive to build
2. Destroys valleys and communities
3. Land loss for reservoir