National Grid

Question 1

What is the national grid

Answer 1

A system of cables and transformers that cover the UK and connects power station to consumers

Question 2

How does electricity production meet demand

Answer 2

Increase in demand of electricity: morning, after school, when it gets dark or cold, popular events on tv

Question 3

What can they do if there’s an increase in demand

Answer 3

They have spare capacity to cope even if there’s unexpected shutdown of another station
Small power stations that can start up quickly are kept in standby

Question 4

What makes the national grid an efficient way of transferring energy

Answer 4

For transferring a huge amount of power, increasing the pd decreases the current which decreases the energy lost by heating the wires and the surroundings

Question 5

What is potential difference changed by

Answer 5

A transformer

Question 6

What do transformers do

Answer 6

Step the potential difference up (stepped up) at one end, for efficient transmission and then bring it back down (stepped down) to safe, usable levels