National and Global Energy Resources

Question 1

What is the main use for nuclear fission?

Answer 1

Generating electricity

Question 2

What are the advantages of nuclear fission?

Answer 2

• No polluting gases or greenhouse gases.
• Enough available to meet the current demand.
• Large amount of energy transferred from a very small mass of fuel.
• Reliable - supply can be controlled to meet demand.

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of nuclear fission?

Answer 3

Produces nuclear waste, which is...
•Dangerous
•Difficult and expensive to dispose of
•Stored for centuries before it is safe to dispose of
Nuclear power plants are expensive to...
•build and run 
•decommission (shut down)

Question 4

What is nuclear fission?

Answer 4

Splitting of a large atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei.

Question 5

How do you complete nuclear fission?

Answer 5

In a neutron reactor, a neutron is absorbed into a nucleus (usually uranium-235). This causes the nucleus to become violently unstable.

Question 6

What are the differences between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission?

Answer 6

• Nuclear fusion requires immense temperatures and pressure which cannot be made on Earth. Nuclear fission can be done using a neutron reactor.
• Nuclear fusion creates extreme levels of energy, compared to nuclear fission which is extremely powerful, but not to the extent of nuclear fusion.

Question 7

What are the main uses of wind energy?

Answer 7

Generating electricity.

Question 8

Advantages of wind turbines?

Answer 8

• Low running cost
• No fuel costs
• No pollution/greenhouse gases produced

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of wind turbines?

Answer 9

• Supply depends on the amount of wind
• Large amounts of land needed to generate enough electricity for large scale demand
• Can produce noise pollution for nearby residents

Question 10

What is a non renewable energy source?

Answer 10

Will eventually run out, is not replaced at the same rate it is being used.

Question 11

What is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 11

Will not run out; it is being (or can be) replaced at the same rate as which it is used.

Question 12

What are the main renewable resources available on Earth?

Answer 12

Solar, tidal, wave, wind, geothermal, biofuel, hydroelectric

Question 13

What are the main non-renewable resources on Earth?

Answer 13

Coal, oil, gas, nuclear