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GCSE Physics > P1 - Generating Electricity > Flashcards

P1 - Generating Electricity Flashcards

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0
Q

How is electricity generated in a power station?

A

Generators are driven my turbines.

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1
Q

Which fossil fuels are burnt in power stations?

A

Coal, oil and natural gas

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2
Q

Which elements are used as fuel in nuclear power stations?

A

Uranium or plutonium

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3
Q

What other fuels can be used to generate electricity?

A

Biofuels such as methane and ethanol

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4
Q

Describe the process of generating electricity in a …-fired power station.

A
  • Burning fuel heats water in a boiler producing steam.
  • Steam drives a turbine.
  • Turbine turns generator.
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5
Q

Where do fossil fuels come from?

A

Long-dead biological material.

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6
Q

Where can methane be sourced from?

A

Animal manure
Decaying rubbish
Sewage works

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7
Q

Where does biofuel come from generally?

A

Living or recently deceased organisms.

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8
Q

How is biofuel a renewable energy source?

A

It’s biological source continues to exist and never dies as a species.

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9
Q

How are biofuels carbon-neutral?

A

The carbon the organism takes in is equal to the CO2 released when burnt.

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10
Q

Explain nuclear fission.

A

The nucleus of a U-235 atom is split which releases energy.

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11
Q

Explain how energy is transferred to electricity from nuclear fission.

A

The energy released from nuclear fission heats a coolant which boils water. The steam then turns a turbine.

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12
Q

Give two advantages of nuclear power

A
  • Lots of energy is released

- There are no greenhouse gases

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13
Q

Give two examples of renewable energy.

A

Hydroelectric and solar (PV)

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14
Q

What is a wind turbine?

A

An electricity generator at the top of a tower.

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15
Q

How can waves be used to generate electricity?

A

The movement of the waves turns a generator.

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16
Q

Give three disadvantages of wave power systems.

A
  • Don’t produce a constant supply of electricity.
  • Lots of cable needed.
  • Can change tidal flow patterns.
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17
Q

How does a hydroelectric plant work?

A

Water in a reservoir flows downhill, spinning a turbine.

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18
Q

How does a tidal power station generate electricity?

A

Water is trapped at high tide then released through turbines.

19
Q

How efficient are current solar cells?

A

> 10%

20
Q

Give three disadvantages of PV cells.

A
  • Low efficiency
  • Very expensive
  • Need lots to generate usable electricity
21
Q

How do solar power towers generate electricity?

A
  • Computer-controlled mirrors reflect sunlight onto tank.

- The sunlight heats the water and the steam turns a generator.

22
Q

What is the source of geothermal energy?

A

Radioactive substances underground.

23
Q

How is electricity generated from geothermal energy?

A
  • Radioactive substances heat surrounding rocks.
  • Water is poured on hot rocks making steam.
  • Steam drives a turbine.
24
Q

How can buildings be directly heated from geothermal energy?

A

Ground heat warms water in pipes which is pumped around a building.

25
Q

How do fossil fuels damage the environment?

A

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming.

26
Q

Give one concern people might have about nuclear power?

A

Nuclear fuels produce radioactive waste.

27
Q

How can renewable energy sources affect the environment?

A

They can affect animals’ and plants’ habitats.

28
Q

How is acid rain caused?

A

Burning fossil fuels can release sulfur dioxide which dissolves in water vapour in the air.

29
Q

What is a potential problem with sourcing fossil fuels?

A

Fossil fuels are non-renewable

30
Q

Give one way of lowering CO2 emissions.

A

Carbon capture and storage

31
Q

Give two advantages of nuclear energy.

A
  • No greenhouse gases.

- More energy per kilogram.

32
Q

Give two disadvantages of nuclear power.

A
  • Used fuel rods contain radioactive waste that has to be stored.
  • An explosion would cause disaster over a wide area.
33
Q

Give four advantages of renewable energy sources.

A
  • They will never run out.
  • They don’t produce greenhouse gases or acid rain.
  • They don’t produce radioactive waste.
  • Can be used in remote areas.
34
Q

Give four disadvantages of renewable energy sources.

A
  • Wind turbines make noises and “blot” the landscape.
  • Tidal barrages affect plant and animal habitats.
  • Habitats are often flooded to create dams for hydroelectric.
  • Solar cells have to cover a large area.
35
Q

What is the National Grid?

A

A network of cables and transformers that distributes electricity.

36
Q

What do transformers do in the National Grid?

A

Step-up transformers increase the voltage into the Grid.

Step-down transformers decrease the voltage out of the Grid.

37
Q

Why are high voltages used in the Grid?

A

High voltage reduces energy loss making the system more efficient.

38
Q

What voltage do power stations generate electricity at?

A

25,000V (25kV)

39
Q

What is the voltage of the Grid?

A

132kV +

40
Q

What voltage do home appliances take from a plug socket?

A

230V

41
Q

Why does a higher voltage make the Grid more efficient?

A

As the voltage is higher, the current is lower. This reduces the heat energy transferred that is caused by the current.

42
Q

What type of power stations are used to meet variations in demand for electricity?

A

Gas-fired power stations as well as pumped storage charged by renewable energy sources.

43
Q

What power stations are used to meet base-load demand?

A

Nuclear, coal and oil power stations.

44
Q

Why are gas fired power stations used to meet variations in demand?

A

They can be started up instantly.

46
Q

What happens when there is less demand than the base-load?

A

Energy is stored for when demand is above base-load.

47
Q

Since you’ve been using these flashcards for free, please consider making a small donation for the hundreds of hours it took to make them.

A

http://bit.ly/21T6H3W

Thank you and good luck!

GCSE Physics (17 decks)

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