P1.5

Question 1

What is a transformer?

Answer 1

It increases or decreases the voltage

Question 2

What is a series circuit?

Answer 2

When components are connected end to end in a circuit.

Question 3

What is a parallel circuit?

Answer 3

When components are connected across each other in a circuit.

Question 4

What is an electric current?

Answer 4

A flow of electrons measured in amperes

Question 5

What does DC mean?

Answer 5

Direct Current
Always flows in the same direction/ one direction
A cell/ battery uses dc

Question 6

What does AC mean?

Answer 6

Alternating Current

Changes direction

Question 7

What is the national grid?

Answer 7

Its a network of pylons and cables that transmit electrical energy from power stations to users across the uk

Question 8

Solar Power? pros and cons?

Answer 8

Turns light energy from the sun into electrical energy.

• useful in remote areas, no pollution, running costs are low
• no power at night or when cloudy, expensive start up costs

Question 9

Wind Power? pros and cons?

Answer 9

Rotates propeller blades on turbine to power generator

• can be built offshore, running costs are low, no fuel costs
• noise+ visual pollution, depends on weather, high start up costs

Question 10

Wave Power? pros and cons?

Answer 10

magnets move up and down with the waves

• ideal for island countries, running costs are low
• storm damage, environment groups disagree

Question 11

Hydroelectric Power? pros and cons?

Answer 11

Fast flowing water is stored in a dam/reservoir to generate electricity.

• creates water reserves, no pollution, no high running cost
• the floods can ruin habitats. high start up costs

Question 12

Tidal Power? pros and cons?

Answer 12

uses seawater from incoming and outgoing tides to generate electricity

• no pollution, ideal for island countries, low running costs
• prevent access for boats, spoils the environment, start up costs are high

Question 13

Biomass? pros and cons?

Answer 13

Energy is generated from decaying plants and animal waste, when its burnt it provides energy

• very cheap, sustainable, long term
• gives off CO2 and SO2

Question 14

Geothermal? pros and cons?

Answer 14

Water gets pumped down pipes to hot rocks and steam returns to the turbine

• no big environmental problems
• expensive to drill down to get to the rocks

Question 15

Coal? pros and cons?

Answer 15

mined from seams of coal, found between layers of rock in the earth

• fuel is cheap, last 2000 years
• releases CO2 and SO2. SO2 produces acid rain, mining can be dangerous

Question 16

Natural gas? pros and cons?

Answer 16

pipes are stuck in the ground to release gas

• efficient power stations, last for 50years
• releases CO2 , pipelines are expensive

Question 17

Oil? pros and cons?

Answer 17

pipes pump up the oil which is sandwiched between rocks

• last 50 years
• releases CO2 and SO2, pollution, danger of spillage

Question 18

Nuclear? pros and cons?

Answer 18

comes from radioactive minerals

• located away from populated areas
• expensive, waste will remain dangerous for 1000’s of years