P3 - Energy Resources (PAPER 1) Flashcards
How are most energy demands being met today
Most energy comes from burning coal, oil and gas
What are the 6 biggest sources of energy today
- Renewable sources
- Coal
- Oil
- Natural Gas
- Biofuels
- Nuclear
What fuels are used to power nuclear stations
Uranium and/or plutonium
What are wind turbines
They are electricity generators on top of tall towers
How are wave used to generate electricity
By crashing against and turning a generator floating in the sea
What type of power stations use water running downhill to form electricity
Hydroelectricity generators
How are tides used to create electricity
The power station traps each high tide and uses it to turn generators
How do solar cells produce energy
They use the energy provided by the sun to directly generate electricity
What are solar heating panels for
They use the sun’s energy to heat water into steam
What is geothermal energy
Energy that comes from the energy produced by radioactive substances deep inside the earth
How can geothermal energy be used to produce electricity
- Water is pumped into rocks that have been heated by the energy from the radioactive substances
- the water becomes steam and this steam is used to turn turbines on the surface
What are the cons of fossil fuels
They produce greenhouse gases, which in turn cause global warming with excessive amounts
What are the three fossil fuels
- Coal
- Oil
- Natural Gas
What are the cons of nuclear power
The radioactive waste produced by it is extremely dangerous to life
What are the pros of renewable power
- It is infinite, and can be used without running out
- It does not have any carbon footprint
- can be used even in remote places
