Generating electricity

Question 1

what is electricity

Answer 1

Electricity is a very convenient form of energy that can be generated using different energy resources. Some of these resources are renewable and some are non-renewable.

Question 2

Fossil fuels

Answer 2

The fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. They were formed from the remains of living organisms millions of years ago and they release heat energy when they are burned. They are non-renewable.

Question 3

Disadvantages of using fossil fuels

Answer 3

Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy resources: their supply is limited and they will eventually run out. Fossil fuels do not renew themselves, while fuels such as wood can be renewed endlessly.

Question 4

Carbon capture

Answer 4

Carbon capture and storage is a way to prevent carbon dioxide building up in the atmosphere. It is a rapidly evolving technology that involves separating carbon dioxide from waste gases.

Question 5

Nuclear fuels

Answer 5

The main nuclear fuels are uranium and plutonium. These are radioactive metals. Nuclear fuels are not burnt to release energy. Instead, nuclear fission reactions (where the nuclei in atoms are split) in the fuels release heat energy.

Question 6

Wind energy

Answer 6

The wind is produced as a result of giant convection currents in the Earth’s atmosphere, which are driven by heat energy from the sun. This means that the kinetic energy in wind is a renewable energy resource: as long as the sun exists, the wind will too.

Question 7

Water energy

Answer 7

Like the wind, water can be used to drive turbines directly. There are several ways that water can be used, including waves, tides and falling water in hydroelectric power schemes.

Question 8

Geothermal energy

Answer 8

Hot water and steam from deep underground can be used to drive turbines: this is called geothermal energy.

Question 9

Solar energy

Answer 9

Solar cells are devices that convert light energy directly into electrical energy. Do not confuse solar cells with solar panels, which use heat energy from the Sun to heat up water.

Question 10

Power stations

Answer 10

Power stations fuelled by fossil fuels or nuclear fuels are reliable sources of energy, meaning they can provide power whenever it is needed.

Question 11

Renewable resources do they cost?

Answer 11

Renewable resources of fuel do not cost anything, but the equipment used to generate the power may be expensive to build. Certain resources are reliable, including tidal barrages and hydroelectric power. Others are less reliable, including wind and solar energy.