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GCSE Physics > Generating Electricity > Flashcards

Generating Electricity Flashcards

1
Q

Renewable energy sources

A

Wind
Solar
Biomass
Hydroelectric
Tidal

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2
Q

Solar advantages

A
  • no waste produced
  • renewable
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3
Q

Disadvantages of solar (3)

A
  • low power output
  • unreliable - dependant on weather
  • unsightly
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4
Q

Advantages of wind (2)

A
  • renewable
  • no waste or pollution
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5
Q

Disadvantages of wind (3)

A
  • unsightly
  • low power output
  • unreliable - dependant on weather
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6
Q

Advantages of hydroelectric (3)

A

-no waste is produced
- short start up time
- reliable

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7
Q

Disadvantages of hydroelectric

A
  • not many suitable areas
  • land has to be flooded - wildlife
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8
Q

Tidal advantages (2)

A
  • renewable
  • no waste is produced
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9
Q

Tidal disadvantages

A
  • must flood a large area which affects wildlife
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10
Q

Biomass advantages (3)

A
  • Renewable
  • reliable
  • carbon neutral
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11
Q

Biomass disadvantage

A
  • Uses a lot of crops which require a lot of land to grow
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12
Q

How do thermal power plants work (6)

A

1) coal is burned
2)water is boiled
3) steam turns the turbine
4) turbine turns the generator
5) generator creates electricity

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13
Q

Non - renewable energy sources (4)

A

Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear

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14
Q

Advantages of coal (3)

A
  • inexpensive
  • reliable
  • there are huge global reserves
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15
Q

Disadvantages of coal (3)

A
  • non renewable
  • greenhouse gases
  • cause acid rain
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16
Q

Oil advantages (2)

A
  • reliable
  • large power output
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17
Q

What power stations have fast start up times

A

Natural gas and hydroelectric

18
Q

What power station has slow start up time

A

Nuclear

19
Q

Oil disadvantages (3)

A
  • greenhouse gas emissions
  • oil spills can be deadly to animals
  • acid rain
20
Q

Natural gas advantages (2)

A
  • reliable
  • large power output
21
Q

Disadvantages of natural gas (3)

A
  • greenhouse gas emmisions
  • carbon monoxide produced - toxic
  • highly flammable
22
Q

Advantages of nuclear (3)

A
  • No greenhouse gases
  • reliable fuel
  • large power output
23
Q

Disadvantages of nuclear (3)

A
  • radioactive waste
  • expensive to decommission
  • large scale accidents are destructive
24
Q

Efficiency equation

A

Useful output energy
——————. X100
Total energy input

25
Q

How do you draw a sankey diagram

A

1) the width of the main block on the left is the total input energy
2) the useful energy is the width of the small arrow to the right
3) the wasted energy is the width of the arrow pointing downwards

26
Q

Who supply’s electricity to the nation

A

The National Grid

27
Q

Base-load

A

The permanent minimum load that a supply system is required to deliver

28
Q

What is the national grids purpose

A

Electricity distribution network that monitors and responds to changes in demand.

29
Q

How do the national grid make electricity supply reliable (2)

A

-They buy electricity from other countries (France) when demand spikes
-Hydroelectric power stations on standby that have fast start up times

30
Q

How does energy travel from the power station to your home

A
  1. Power station
  2. Step up transformer
  3. Cables and pylons
  4. Step down transformer
  5. Houses
31
Q

Power station

A

Generates electricity

32
Q

Step up transformer

A

Increases the voltage and lowers the current

33
Q

Step down transformer

A

Decreases the voltage and increases the current

34
Q

When would electricity demand be high

A

On a cold, snowy day

35
Q

When would electricity demand be low

A

Summer at 1:00-4:00 am

36
Q

Why is a step up transformer used

A

Reduces energy losses in transmission lines through heat, making distribution more efficient.

37
Q

Why is a step-down transformer used

A

Reduce voltage to make it safer for consumers

38
Q

Equation for power using current + voltage

A

P = VI

39
Q

Most efficient power plant

A

Hydroelectric

40
Q

Least efficient power plant

A

Thermal (e.g, coal)

GCSE Physics (5 decks)

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