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GCSE - Physics > P3 - energy resources > Flashcards

P3 - energy resources Flashcards

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1
Q

where does most of our energy come from

A

burning fossil fuels

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2
Q

how do coal or oil fired power stations work

A

burning fuel heats water in a boiler, this produces steam, the steam drives a turbine that turns an electricity generator

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3
Q

what is a biofuel

A

any fuel taken from living or recently living organisms

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4
Q

how is a biofuel renewable

A

it’s biological source either regrows or is continuously produced

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5
Q

how is a biofuel carbon neutral

A

the carbon the living organism takes in from the atmosphere can balance the amount that is released when it is burnt

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6
Q

what is the fuel used in a nuclear power at station

A

uranium
plutonium

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7
Q

how does a nuclear power station work

A

the uranium atoms nucleus splits in two, energy is transferred from nucleus, core becomes hot, energy of core is transferred by coolant, coolant flowed through pipe to heat exchanger then back to reactor core, energy transferred is used to turn water into steam which drives turbines

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8
Q

how does wind power work

A

wind drives turbines blades, this turns a generator, power generated increases as wind speed increases

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9
Q

how does wave power work

A

waves move a floating generator up and down, turns the generator

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10
Q

how does hydroelectric power work

A

rainwater collected in a reservoir flows down hill, flowing water drives turbines that turn electricity generators at the bottom of the hill

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11
Q

how does tidal power work

A

traps water from high tide behind barrage, water released into sea through turbines, turbines turn a generator

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12
Q

what is the physical distributor of all energy in UK

A

the national grid

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13
Q

when are solar panels useful

A

when only small amounts of electricity are needed
or in remote places

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14
Q

what are the disadvantages of solar panels

A

very expensive to buy (cost nothing to run though so every cloud)
lots are needed to generate enough power to be useful

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15
Q

how does a solar power tower work

A

thousands of mirrors reflect sunlight onto big water tank
water is turned to steam by heating effect of solar radiatiation
steak is piped to ground level where it turns electricity generators

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16
Q

how does geothermal energy work

A

energy is released by radioactive substances
energy transferred from these radioactive substances heat the surrounding rock
energy is transferred by heating towards the earths surface

17
Q

what are the issues with fossil fuels

A

greenhouse gases get released, warming the atmosphere
produce sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain
non renewable

18
Q

advantages of nuclear power

A

no greenhouse gases emitted
more energy is transferred from each kg of uranium/plutonium

19
Q

disadvantages of nuclear power

A

used fuel rods contain radioactive waste which has to be stored safely for centuries
if a reactor explodes radioactive material would spread over a wide area

20
Q

advantages of renewable energy sources

A

never run out
do not produce greenhouse gases
do not create radioactive waste
can be used where connection to national grid is uneconomical

21
Q

disadvantages of renewable energy sources

A

not able to meet world demand for energy
wind turbines create a whining noise + are unsightly
tidal barrages affect habitats of creatures and plants
reservoirs for hydroelectric schemes can affect plant and animal life
solar cells need to cover large areas
unreliable

22
Q

what are the reliability issues with hydroelectric, wind/waves, tidal, and solar power

A

hydroelectric - upland reservoirs could run dry
wind/waves - too weak on calm days
tidal - height of tide varies
solar - no solar energy at night, variable during day

23
Q

how is the demand for electricity met (x4)

A

using nuclear and coal power stations to provide constant amount
gas fired power station and pumped storage schemes for daily variations in demand
using renewable sources when demand is high and when conditions are suitable
using renewable sources when demand is low to store energy is pumped storage schemes

24
Q

what energy source is capital cost lowest for

A

gas fired power stations

25
Q

what energy source is capital cost greatest for

A

wind power and nuclear power (including decommissioning cost)

26
Q

what are overall costs lowest for

A

hydroelectricity

27
Q

what are overall costs highest for

A

offshore wind farms

GCSE - Physics (7 decks)

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