P1: ENERGY RESOURCES

Question 1

Examples of non-renewable energy resources

Answer 1

-fossil fuels
-nuclear power

Question 2

Fossil fuels

Answer 2

-burnt in power stations to generate energy
-ADVS:
-cheap
-easy to obtain
-DISADVS:
-non-renewable
-releases CO2 (which increases global warming)

Question 3

Nuclear power

Answer 3

-radioactive nuclei decay which generates energy
-ADVS:
-doesn’t produce CO2
-produces a lot more energy per 1kg of fuel than coal
-DISADVS:
-non-renewable
-produces nuclear waste which is radioactive and hazardous to health

Question 4

Examples of renewable energy resources

Answer 4

-solar power
-wind
-waves
-hydro-electricity
-bio-fuel
-tides
-geothermal

Question 5

Solar power

Answer 5

-solar panels absorb sunlight and turn generate electricity
-ADVS:
-doesn’t produce CO2
-low running costs
-DISADVS:
-expensive to build
-unreliable

Question 6

Bio-fuel

Answer 6

-burning plant and animal matter to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-cheap
-helps to get rid of waste
-DISADVS:
-produces CO2
-deforestation

Question 7

Wind power

Answer 7

-rotor connected to a generator
-ADVS:
-low running costs
-land can still be used (eg: for farming)
-DISADVS:
-unreliable
-expensive to build enough to generate enough electricity

Question 8

Geothermal power

Answer 8

-heat from underground used to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-reliable
-very little environmental damage
-DISADVS:
-expensive to build a power plant
-not many suitable locations to build power plants

Question 9

Hydro-electricity

Answer 9

-falling water used to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-reliable
-low running costs
-can provide an immediate reasons for increased demand
-DISADVS:
-requires flooding
-loss of habitats due to flooding

Question 10

Wave power

Answer 10

-wave powered turbines to generate electricity
-ADVS:
-no pollution
-low running costs
-DISADVS:
-unreliable
-high initial costs
-won’t provide electricity on a large scale

Question 11

Tidal power

Answer 11

-tidal barrages built across river estuaries with turbines in them. as the tide comes in it fills up the estuary and the water is allowed out the turbines at a controlled speed, generating electricity
-ADVS:
-reliable
-low running costs
-can generate a significant amount of energy
-DISADVS:
-height of tide is variable
-prevents free access by boats
-alters habitats