P3 Energy Resources Flashcards
How do energy resources generate electricity
An energy resource rotates a turbine
This rotates a coil of wire in magnetic field called a generator
This creates an electrical current
How do fossil fuels generate energy
Fuels are stores of chemical energy and are burnt to heat a fluid
This creates steam and turns a turbine
This turns a generator that create an electrical current
What are the advantages of fossil fuels
Reliable
On-demand electricity
What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels
Not renewable
Inefficient
Contributes to global warming
What are the advantages of geothermal energy
Renewable
Reliable
Does not produce greenhouse gases
What are the disadvantages of geothermal energy
Can only be used where there is volcanic activity close to the surface
Geothermal plants can lead to the instability of the land surrounding it.
What are the advantages of wind power
Source of renewable energy
Don’t take up much land space
Relatively low cost
What are the disadvantages of wind power
Unreliable
Can be considered ugly
Can cause noise pollution
How do wind turbines create electricity
Wind blows and rotates the turbine
This turns the generator and creates electricity
How does hydroelectric power create electricity
Water above the grounds is a store of gravitational potential energy
A dam traps the water and allows it to fall, turning a turbine
This turn a generator and creates electricity
What are the advantages of hydroelectric power
Renewable
More reliable than wind and solar
Capable of producing lots of energy
What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power
Often change rive paths, moving people from houses and harming wildlife
Affected by drought
The amount of suitable places to build a dam are decreasing
How does tidal energy create electricity
Waves and tides are stores of kinetic energy
This rotates a turbine that turns a generator
This creates electricity
What are the advantages of tidal energy
Renewable
Does not produce greenhouse gases
Tide are a predictable phenomenon
What are the disadvantages of tidal energy
The creation of tidal turbines can damage fragile ecosystems in estuaries
Does not produce electricity continuously
Turbines are built close to the shore, affecting local communities
How does nuclear energy create energy
Nuclear energy stores in a atoms’ nuclei is released as kinetic energy
This heats graphite that heat a fluid
This creates steam, rotating a turbine that turns a generator
This creates electricity
What are the advantages of nuclear energy
No greenhouse gas emission
Reliable, on-demand electricity
What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy
Nuclear waste is radioactive and potentially dangerous is not disposed of properly
Nuclear waste has a very long half-life; it will continue to be dangerous for a very long time
How does solar energy create electricity
Electromagnetic waves emitted by the sun, transfers energy to the earth
Solar cells absorbs these waves and create energy without a generator
Some solar cells use heat from the sun to boil water, create steam and rotate a turbine, which turns a generator
What are the advantages of solar energy
Renewable
Produces no greenhouse gases
Produces no noise pollution
What are the disadvantages of solar energy
Only produces electricity when there is sunlight
High installation cost
Solar cells are not very efficient at converting sunlight into energy
How is the sun the original source of energy for hydroelectricity
Water is built up behind dams due to rain, produced by the water cycle, which is driven by the sun
How is the sun the original source of energy for Solar power
The sun emits the electromagnetic radiation that is transferred into electricity
How is the sun the original source of energy for wind power
Winds are created by differences in air pressure
This is a result of the air being heated unevenly by the sun
How is the sun the original source of energy for fossil fuels
The decayed flora and fauna that makeup fossil fuels got their energy from the sun
How is the sun the original source of energy for wave energy
Waves are created by wind
Wind is a result of the sun eating the air unevenly
What are renewable energy resources
Resources that will never run out
Can be replenished as they’re used
What energy resources are are renewable
Solar Wind Waves hydroelectricity biofuel tides geothermal
How do renewable energy resources affect the environment
Most resources damage the environment
Renewable resources are less harmful than non-renewable resources
What are the non-renewable energy resources
Resources that will run out one day
What energy resources are non-renewable
Fossil fuels
Nuclear fuels
How are non-renewable energy sources are used in transport
Petrol and diesel vehicles use the fossil fuel oil
Some steam trains use coal to produce steam
How are renewable energy sources are used in transport
Some vehicles are powered by biofuels
How are non-renewable energy sources are used in heating
Gas and coal are burnt to heat homes
How are renewable energy sources are used in heating
Geothermal heat pumps heat some homes
Solar water heaters use solar energy
What are the two main uses of energy resources
Transport
Heating
How did electricity use change in the 20th century
Electricity use increase as the UK population grew bigger
How did electricity use change in the 21st century
Electricity use has been decreasing in the UK
Appliances are becoming more efficient
People are becoming more concerned with how much energy that are using
Why has the way energy resources are used changed over time
Changing cost
Technological advances
Environmental concerns
How are power plants changing due to renewable energy
Energy providers are building power plants that use renewable resources
How are vehicles changing due to renewable energy
Vehicle manufacturers are creating electric car and hybrids
How is government policy changing due to renewable energy
Governments are introducing target for renewable energy use due to public pressure
How much renewable energy does the UK hope to provide by 2020
15%
How does cost limit renewable energy
Building renewable power plants is expensive
Renewable options (like hybrid cars and solar panels) are expensive
How does reliability limit renewable energy
Some renewable energy resources are less reliable than fossil fuels
How does politics limit renewable energy
Some politician may been less keen on renewable energy resources than others
What is a biofuel
fuel taken from living or recently living organisms
What is a fossil fuel
Fuel from long-dead plants and animals
Why is biofuel renewable
It is a biological source that regrows or is continually produced
It can be used at the same rate that is replaced
Why are biofuels carbon neutral
In theory, the carbon at the living organism takes in from the atmosphere as carbon dioxide can balance the amount this is released when the biofuel is burnt
What is used as fuel in a nuclear power station
Uranium
Plutonium
