P1.4 Flashcards
Describe the use/creation of steam for turbines.
Steam is created by boiling water. To get the heat from this water we can use fossil fuels. It is then used to push around a turbine to generate electricity.
What other ways are there of generating electricity?
Solar, nuclear, wind, fossil fuel,wave, tidal and hydroelectric
How is electricty supplied?
Electricity comes from power stations (high current) goes through a step up transformer (lowers current) goes to the national grid (low current) goes to a step down transformer (makes a higher current) and then into homes.
What is the use of transformers?
The use of a transformer is to either higher or lower the current.
What is an advantage of using coal a fossil fuel?
Easy to transport. Relatively cheap. Easy to find.
How is coal formed?
Sun gives energy to plants in warm swamps. Plant dies and gets buried for million of years. It is then dug up as coal.
What is a disadvantage of fossil fuels?
Non renewable. Creates mines. Miners can be made very ill. Produces polluting gases.
How is oil formed?
Sun gives energy to plants in ocean. Plants die and get buried by sediment. After millions of years break down and form gas. Burn for energy.
What is an environmental impact of coal?
Produces waste. Burning produces sulfur dioxide. Mining for coal uses a lot of water.
What is a human use for coal?
Electricity generation. Solid fuel.
What is an environmental impact of oil?
Releases carbon dioxide. Extracting oil means lots of other chemicals are released.. Have large oil spills.
What happens at a high voltage?
A low current which lowers heat loss.
What happens at a low voltage?
A high current which highers heat loss.
