P3 - Energy Resources

Question 1

P3.1 - Aiming for 4 - which fuels are renewable?

Answer 1

Wind, solar, hydroelectricity, wave, tidal

Question 2

P3.1 - Aiming for 4 - which fuels are non-renewable?

Answer 2

coal, gas, nuclear power, fossil fuels.

Question 3

P3.1 - Aiming for 4 - What are activities that require large energy transfers?

Answer 3

Fossil fuels (chemical energy store), water (thermal energy store), Turbine (kinetic energy store), Generator (electric energy store)

Question 4

P3.1 - Aiming for 4 - State that biofuels are carbon neutral whereas fossil fuels are not.

Answer 4

Biofuels are carbon-neutral because the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants is equal to the carbon dioxide released when fuel is burned.

Question 5

P3.1 - Aiming for 6 - Why are biofuels considered carbon-neutral?

Answer 5

They are considered carbon-neutral because the CO2 absorbed by the plants is equal to the CO2 released when fuel is burned.

Question 6

P3.2 - Aiming for 4 - Why are wind turbines, wave generators, hydroelectric systems, and tidal systems considered renewable resources?

Answer 6

Wind turbines - Limitless supply of wind makes it renewable.
Hydroelectricity - Renewable as it draws energy from the sun that drives the hydrological cycle.
Wave generators - Energy is caused by heat emitted from the sun.
Tidal Systems - renewable through continuous change in tidal movements that occur twice a day from the moon’s gravitational force.

Question 7

P3.3 - State one difference between solar cells and solar heating panels.

Answer 7

Solar heating panels can heat your house by harvesting the sun’s heat whereas solar cells generate electricity.

Question 8

P3.3 - State advantages and disadvantages of geothermal

Answer 8

Advantages: Can heat homes and buildings, can produce electricity, reliable.
Disadvantages: Release of CO2, can lower ground temp below earth, cost heavy.

Question 9

P3.4 - What are fossil fuels’ effects on the environment?

Answer 9

They release sulphur and bonds with oxygen in the air to make sulphur dioxide causing acid rain.

Question 10

P3.4 - Why does burning fossil fuels affect global warming?

Answer 10

Burning fossil fuels produce greenhouse gases.

Burning coal releases particulates which lead to global dimming and lung damage

Question 11

P3.4 - Why are nuclear materials a better alternative than fossil fuels?

Answer 11

Nuclear materials give off much more energy per kilo than fossil fuel alternatives - good as it saves space.

Question 12

List advantages of biomass

Answer 12

Can be used again, reliable, no pollution

Question 13

List disadvantages of biomass

Answer 13

release of CO2, release of particulates (coal)

Question 14

P3.5 - What does capital cost mean?

Answer 14

How much it costs to build in first place

Question 15

P3.5 - What does overall cost mean?

Answer 15

How much the energy costs to produce once you have the station.