P1 Energy Resources

Question 1

Define renewable

Answer 1

Can be replenished as it is used

Question 2

Define reliable

Answer 2

Can consistently be produces and meet demand of consumers

Question 3

What is coal power?

Answer 3

A non-renewable fossil fuel

Question 4

How is coal power produced?

Answer 4

Coal is burned in a furnace, water is heated in the boiler to make steam which turns the turbine which turns the generator to produce electricity.

Question 5

What are pros of coal power?

Answer 5

Lasts longer than gas, reliable, quite cheap, widely available

Question 6

What are cons of coal power?

Answer 6

Produces the most carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, non-renewable

Question 7

What is nuclear power?

Answer 7

A nuclear reactor uses uranium to produce lots of heat. This heat turns water into steam, which drives a turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity.

Question 8

What are pros of nuclear power?

Answer 8

No smoke, reliable, very dense fuel, no extra greenhouse gas emissions, no sulfur dioxide produced

Question 9

What are cons of nuclear power?

Answer 9

Risk of meltdown, non-renewable, long start up time, highly radioactive waste, risk of explosion, very expenisve

Question 10

What are pros of wind power?

Answer 10

Renewable, quite cheap

Question 11

What are cons of wind power?

Answer 11

Noise pollution, harms wildlife, visual pollution, location specific

Question 12

What are pros of hydroelectric power?

Answer 12

Stores water, tourism, leisure, construction jobs, renewable, reliable, no carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide

Question 13

What are cons of hydroelectric power?

Answer 13

Floods a valley, very expensive, location specific, relocates people, can fail

Question 14

How does hydroelectric power work?

Answer 14

Water flows through a pipe in a dam which turns a turbine which drives a generator to produce electricity.

Question 15

How does tidal power work?

Answer 15

Turbine spins due to difference in water height.

Question 16

What are solar photovoltaic cells?

Answer 16

Convert sunlight directly into electricity

Question 17

What are solar heating panels?

Answer 17

Heat water using sunlight

Question 18

What are pros of solar power?

Answer 18

Renewable, relatively cheap, no carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide, low maintenance, stored on batteries

Question 19

What are cons of solar power?

Answer 19

Not reliable, location specific, lots of land required, few jobs, no land = no power

Question 20

What are pros of tidal power?

Answer 20

Renewable, reliable

Question 21

What are cons of tidal power?

Answer 21

Harm and damage to wildlife and habitats, only makes power twice a day, not constant, expensive

Question 22

How does wave power work?

Answer 22

Movement of waves turns a turbine, driving a generator

Question 23

What are pros of wave power?

Answer 23

Renewable, quite reliable, construction jobs, no carbon dioxide produced

Question 24

What are cons of wave power?

Answer 24

Could sink, not 100% reliable, could be damaged by storms, visual pollution

Question 25

What is biomass?

Answer 25

Some plants can be used to make fuels which are used in vehicles or power stations
Sugar cane is used for ethanol-a fuel
Wood can be burned in place of coal

Question 26

What are pros of biomass?

Answer 26

Renewable, removes carbon dioxide when the plants are grown, carbon neutral

Question 27

What are cons of biomass?

Answer 27

Takes up lots of land which could be used for food crops, produces carbon dioxide

Question 28

What is geothermal power?

Answer 28

Hot rocks under the Earth boil water to produce steam. Steam turns a turbine and a generator.

Question 29

What are pros of geothermal power?

Answer 29

No carbon dioxide or sulfur dioxide produces, renewable, reliable

Question 30

What are cons of geothermal power?

Answer 30

Very expensive to build, location specific

Question 31

What is energy used for?

Answer 31

40% transport
29% domestic

Question 32

What is biofuel?

Answer 32

any fuel taken from living or recently living materials, such as animal waste.

Question 33

What is carbon neutral?

Answer 33

a biofuel from a living organism that takes in as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as is released when the fuel is burned.

Question 34

What are fossil fuels?

Answer 34

a fuel formed from the dead remains of organisms over millions of years (e.g. coal, oil, or natural gas).

Question 35

What is the process involved in nuclear power?

Answer 35

Nuclear fission

Question 36

What is a reactor core?

Answer 36

the thick steel vessel used to contain fuel rods, control rods and the moderator in a nuclear fission reactor.