P3- Energy Resources

Question 1

What are energy sources and can they be transferred?

Answer 1

They are large banks of energy which can be transferred into a form that can be used by society.

Question 2

Describe the energy resource: Fossil Fuels

Answer 2

Burning fossil fuels produces steam which can turn turbines.

Question 3

Describe the energy resource: Nuclear

Answer 3

Nuclear fuel is reacted, producing heat which creates steam.

Question 4

Describe the energy resource: Bio-fuels

Answer 4

Plant matter, ethanol or methane can be produced and used as a fuel in place of fossil fuels.

Question 5

Describe the energy resource: Wind

Answer 5

Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity.

Question 6

Describe the energy resource: Hydroelectric

Answer 6

Hydroelectric uses the GPE of water stored in reservoirs to turn turbines which generates electricity.

Question 7

Describe the energy resource: Tidal

Answer 7

A dam is used to trap seawater at high tide which can then be released through a turbine generating electricity.

Question 8

Describe the energy resource: Geothermal

Answer 8

Heat from underground can be used to create steam, which spins turbines producing electricity.

Question 9

Describe the energy resource: Solar

Answer 9

Photovoltaic cells can use light to create electricity or thermal radiation from the sun can be used to warm water passing through black pipes.

Question 10

What is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 10

One that is replenished at a faster rate than the rate which it is being used. Renewable energy CANNOT run out

Question 11

What is a reliable energy resource?

Answer 11

One that can produce energy at any time. Non-reliable resources can only produce energy some of the time. For example: when it’s windy.

Question 12

Is fossil fuel renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 12

It is not renewable. Its advantages are:
- it’s reliable
- it can produce large amounts of energy at fairly short notice
disadvantages:
- it produces significant greenhouse gases and pollution.

Question 13

Is nuclear energy renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 13

It is not renewable. its advantages are:
- it’s reliable
- produces no greenhouse gases or pollution
- a lot of energy is produced from a small amount of fuel.
disadvantages:
- Produces dangerous radioactive waste that can take thousands of years to the decay.

Question 14

Is Bio-fuels renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 14

It is renewable advantages are:
-the CO2 produced while burning the fuel is balanced by the CO2 absorbed whilst producing it.
disadvantages:
- it can take up a lot of learning consume resources that are needed for food production

Question 15

Is wind energy renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 15

Wind energy is renewable. its advantages are:
- produces no greenhouse gases or pollution
- land can still be used for farming
disadvantages:
- not reliable can be noisy and ugly everywhere is suitable

Question 16

Is hydroelectric renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 16

It is renewable. its advantages are:
- it’s reliable
- can produce large amounts of energy at short notice
- it produces no pollution or greenhouse gases
disadvantages:
- can involve flooding large area
- destroying important wildlife habitats

Question 17

Is tidal energy renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 17

It is renewable.
its advantages are :
- the tides are very predictable
- a large amount of energy can be produced at regular intervals - -disadvantages:
-very few suitable locations
- can cause environmental harm to estuaries and disrupt shipping.

Question 18

Is geothermal renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 18

It is renewable. its advantages are:
- reliable
- geothermal stations are usually small
disadvantages
- can result in the release of harmful gases from underground
- not many places are suitable

Question 19

Is solar energy renewable and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 19

It is renewable. its advantages are:
- it produces no greenhouse gases or pollution
- good for producing energy in remote places
disadvantages:
- not reliable (only works when sunny)
- Solar farms can use up lots of farmland