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Physics - Unit One > Generating Electricity > Flashcards

Generating Electricity Flashcards

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1
Q

How does a fossil fuel generator work?

A

1) The fossil fuel is burned to convert the chemical energy into thermal energy.
2) The heat energy turns water into stream.
3) The steam turns a turbine.

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2
Q

What is the difference between a nuclear generator and a fossil fuel generator?

A

Nuclear generators use nuclear fission from uranium or plutonium instead of burning fossil fuels.

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3
Q

What is an issue with building nuclear power stations?

A

They take the longest time of any electricity option to set up.

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4
Q

How do you generate electricity from wind?

A

You put windmills in windy areas like moors and coasts. The wind turns the windmill which turns the turbine inside.

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5
Q

What are two advantages of wind power?

A
  • No atmospheric pollution

* No permanent damage o environment

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6
Q

What are four disadvantages of wind power?

A
  • Visual pollution
  • Noise pollution
  • No wind = no power
  • Low amount of power from each turbine
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7
Q

Where do solar cells get their electric currents from?

A

The Sun’s radiation

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8
Q

What are two advantages of using solar cells?

A
  • No environmental damage after fabrication
  • Can be very reliable in some countries
  • In Britain they can power individual homes easily
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9
Q

What are two disadvantages of solar cells?

A
  • Difficult to connect to the National Grid
  • Start up cost huge compared to value of electricity generated
  • Relies on sunlight
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10
Q

How does hydroelectric power work?

A

1) A valley is flooded by building a big dam.
2) Rainwater is caught by the dam.
3) Water is forced past turbines.

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11
Q

What are three advantages of hydroelectric power?

A
  • No atmospheric pollution
  • No problem with reliability
  • Useful for small scale, remote projects
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12
Q

What are four disadvantages of hydroelectricity?

A
  • Huge impact on habitats and area
  • Unsightly
  • High initial cost
  • Difficult to connect to the National Grid
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13
Q

What is pumped storage?

A

“Spare” nighttime electricity is used to pump water up to a higher reservoir. This can then be released quickly during peak times.

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14
Q

Why does pumped storage work so well?

A

Because at night electricity demand is low so the electricity doesn’t go to waste.

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15
Q

What are tidal barrages?

A

Big dams built across estuaries with turbines in them. The movement of the tides turns the turbines.

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16
Q

What are three advantages of tidal barrages?

A
  • No atmospheric pollution
  • There are always going to be tides
  • Can store energy for peak times
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17
Q

What are three disadvantages of tidal barrages?

A
  • Prevent access to estuary
  • Tides are variable
  • High initial cost
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18
Q

How can sea waves produce electricity?

A

Lots of small wave powered turbines are placed on the coast. As waves come in they provide an up and down motion which can force air past a generator.

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19
Q

What are two advantages of using sea waves to generate electricity?

A
  • No atmospheric pollution

* Cheap to run

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20
Q

What are three disadvantages of using waves to generate electricity?

A
  • Visual pollution
  • Unreliable
  • High initial cost
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21
Q

What is geothermal energy?

A

When steam and water rise from the ground and turn a turbine.

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22
Q

Where do geothermal power stations need to be built?

A

In areas where hot rocks are close to the surface.

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23
Q

What is an advantage of geothermal energy?

A

The source is free.

24
Q

What is a disadvantage of geothermal energy?

A

The power station required is very expensive.

25
Q

What are biofuels?

A

They are renewable sources from plants and waste.

26
Q

Why are biofuels better than fossil fuels?

A

Because they are carbon neutral.

27
Q

In the UK, where do a majority of our energy come from?

A

Non-renewable sources.

28
Q

What are three problems of using non-renewable sources for electricity?

A
  • Releases harmful gases like carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide.
  • Damages landscape due to huge mining pits and oil spills.
29
Q

What is a problem with the waste from nuclear power?

A

It is dangerous and difficult to dispose of.

30
Q

What are two problems with biofuels?

A
  • Methane released when burned.

* Deforestation to make way for biofuel production.

31
Q

What is CCS?

A

Carbon Capture and Storage aims to reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere by piping emissions into empty gas/oil fields underground.

32
Q

What should be considered when planning a new power station?

A
  • How much it costs to set-up and run.
  • How long it takes to build.
  • How much power it can generate.
  • Decommissioning time
  • Reliability
33
Q

Why is gas replacing oil and coal power stations?

A

Because it has the shortest start up time and we have the most of it.

34
Q

What is the best location for solar panels?

A

Somewhere sunny

35
Q

What is the best location for natural gas stations?

A

Anywhere there’s piper gas.

36
Q

What is the best location for hydroelectricity?

A

Hilly, rainy places with floodable valleys.

37
Q

What is the best location for wind turbines?

A

Exposed, windy places.

38
Q

What is the best location for oil plants?

A

Near the coast because oil is transported by sea.

39
Q

What is the best location for wave power?

A

On the coast

40
Q

What is the best location for a nuclear power station?

A

Away from people and close to a reliable water source.

41
Q

What is the best location for tidal barrages?

A

Big river estuaries.

42
Q

What is the best location for geothermal plants?

A

Volcanic areas

43
Q

What will the National Grid need to do if demand increases?

A

Build more power stations and/or increase its power output.

44
Q

How can demand on electricity be reduced?

A

By consumers buying energy-efficient appliances.

45
Q

What does the National Grid do?

A

It takes electricity from power stations to where it is needed.

46
Q

What are the ideals conditions to transport electricity?

A

A high voltage or a high current.

47
Q

Does the National Grid raise the voltage or the current? Why?

A

The voltage because it’s cheaper as less energy is lost as heat that way.

48
Q

What is the voltage of electricity in the National Grid?

A

400,000 volts

49
Q

What do transformers do in the National Grid?

A

Step up the voltage at the power stations for efficient transmission and step down the voltage at the other end to make the electricity useful and safe.

50
Q

Do overhead or underground cables have better thermal/electrical insulation?

A

Overhead because the air acts as an insulator whereas insulation must be artificially produced below ground.

51
Q

Do overhead or underground cables have easier installation?

A

Overhead as they are a lot easier and cheaper to get to.

52
Q

Are overhead or underground cables easier to maintain?

A

Underground as they very rarely get damaged.

53
Q

Do overhead or underground cables carry more of a risk?

A

Overhead as they are openly exposed.

54
Q

Do overhead or underground cables create more disturbance?

A

Underground

55
Q

Do overhead or underground cables have more of a visual impact?

A

Overhead

56
Q

Why can’t underground cables be placed in some areas?

A

Land restrictions

Physics - Unit One (5 decks)

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