National and Global Energy sources

Question 1

What is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 1

An energy source which can be replenished (refilled) as it is being used up.

Question 2

Give four examples of renewable energy resources

Answer 2

1.Wind Energy
2.Hydro-Electricity
3.Tidal energy
4 .Solar Energy

Question 3

Give examples of non-renewable energy resources.

Answer 3

Coal,gas,oil

Question 4

What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

Answer 4

*Flexible Generation :Gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched off/on regularly.

*lower emissions of carbon dioxide

Question 5

State two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power.

Answer 5

*supply is uncertain( due to wind and speed)

*Generating power through other means( such as coal gas ,oil)is often more reliable and economically beneficial

Question 6

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuel.

Answer 6

*Carbon Dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect and causes global warming

*Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain ,which can damage buildings and crops .

Question 7

State three advantages of using fossil fuels (coal,gas,oil) as an energy resource

Answer 7

1.Reliable: Not dependent on external factors( such as wind speed) so can generate power anytime.

2.Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity.

3. still relatively cheap so cost effective

Question 8

State three advantages of nuclear power.

Answer 8

1.Very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel.

2.Doesn’t release greenhouse gases so it does not contribute to climate change.

3. Low fuel costs

Question 9

State three disadvantages of nuclear power

Answer 9

1. produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans and must be stored safely for centuries.
2. Non-renewable energy source

3.Risks of nuclear accidents , which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment

Question 10

How does hydroelectric power produce energy.

Answer 10

*rainwater collects behind a dam

• When this water is released ,it is used to turn a turbine

*This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity

Question 11

What are some disadvantages of biofuel?

Answer 11

• When plants are burned or decay they release CO2

*In order to grow biofuels you need to destroy land which leads to problems because:

1.The land could have been natural habitats
2. Destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it ,which would release CO2

*Growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing food.

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power

Answer 12

• The dam may cause flooding
• It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure.

Question 12

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 12

• They do not produce greenhouses gases
• They are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day.
• They are cheap to run as tides are natural, so free.

Question 13

What are some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 13

• They don’t cause harm to the environment
• They are a renewable energy source
• They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible

Question 14

Give an example of a soical factor which may act as a deterrent (something society does not want ) for certain types of energy production .

Answer 14

• Visual Pollution
• Sound Pollution

(both of these are disadvantages of wind farm)