P1.4 Flashcards
In power stations, which energy sources can be used to heat water?
Fossil fuels
Uranium or plutonium
Biofuels
Give three main fossil fuels
Oil
Coal
Gas
How can fossil fuels be used as an energy source?
They can be burned
What can fossil fuels be used for?
To heat air and water
How is uranium or plutonium used as an energy source?
Through nuclear fission they can release energy
How can uranium/plutonium be used?
To heat water
How can biofuels be used as an energy source?
They can be burned
What can biofuels be used for?
To heat water
How does the heated water lead to the production of electricity?
The heated water releases steam
The steam turns a turbine
The turbine is connected to a generator which produces electricity
Which methods of generating electricity can turn turbines directly?
Wind
Waves
Tides
Falling water (hydroelectric power)
Which energy source is used to power solar panels?
The Sun’s radiation
What are the advantages of using solar power?
Renewable / infinite energy supply
Private buildings / remote areas can have their own electricity supply
Once solar panels are set up, it is free
Not harmful to the environment to use
What are the disadvantages of using solar power?
Solar panels can be expensive to manufacture and set up
Manufacturing factories produce pollution
Can only be captured during the day / sunny season
Solar power often charges batteries which need to be replaced
What is geothermal energy?
Hot water and steam rise to the surface of the earth in some volcanic areas
The steam is collected
The steam is used to turn turbines which are connected to generators
Where might small scale production of hydroelectric power be useful?
In remote areas
Where might small scale production solar power be useful?
In road signs
Why should small scale production of electricity not be connected to the National Grid?
This would be uneconomic
What are the (negative) effects of using different energy sources?
Substances are released into the atmosphere (i.e. Greenhouse gases)
Waste materials are produced (e.g. Toxic waste from nuclear power stations)
Noise and visual pollution
Wildlife fe habitats could be destroyed
How is the problem of waste gases escaping and building up in the atmosphere being solved?
By the development of carbon capture and storage technology
What is the purpose of carbon capture and storage technology?
To catch and store carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere in waste gases.
What are some of the best ‘containers’ that can be used for storing carbon?
Oil and gas fields
E.g. Under the North Sea
How is electricity distributed to many buildings?
From power stations through the National Grid
What are the five key parts of the National Grid?
Power station Step-up transformers Transmission lines (high voltage) Step down transformers Consumers (homes / buildings)
What is the role of step up transformers?
To increase voltage
Why is voltage increased in power cables?
This decreases current which reduces energy loss
This improves efficiency of the National Grid
Why is energy usually lost through power cables?
Energy is wasted as heat
What is the role of step down transformers?
To decrease voltage
Why is voltage decreased by step down transformers?
Voltages which are extremely high are not safe to use in cities or around homes / buildings
This is because high voltages can cause fatal electric shocks and so are dangerous
What are the advantages of overhead cables?
They are cheaper than underground cables
They allow better heat dissipation
What are the disadvantages of using overhead power cables?
They are unattractive / detract from beautiful landscapes
Are more likely to be hit by lightning than underground cables
There is added cost due to maintenance
What are the advantages of underground power cables?
They are unseen by the public so don’t affect scenery
Low maintenance cost
Don’t harm birds
What are the disadvantages of underground power cables (compared to overhead power cables)?
More expensive as land has to be dug up
More energy is lost because there are more conductors nearby which conduct electricity and take it away from the cables, so the cables have to be thicker
Can be tricky to build if cables have to go through marshes/ hills etc.
