P3- National and Global Energy Sources

Question 1

What is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 1

An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up.

Question 2

Name all renewable energy resources

Answer 2

Wind energy, hydro electricity,tidal energy,solar energy, Biofuel energy, Wave energy, Geothermal energy

Question 3

Example of a non-renewable energy resource

Answer 3

Fossil fuels(gas,coal and oil)

Question 4

What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

Answer 4

Flexible generation:Gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off more readily.
Lower carbon dioxide emissions

Question 5

Two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power

Answer 5

Output often determined by external factors(like wind speed),so suppply is uncertain

Generating power through other means is often more efficient and econonmically beneficial

Question 6

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels

Answer 6

Carbon dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect,and causes global warming

Sulphur dioxide leads to acid rain,which can damge buildings and crops

Question 7

Three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource

Answer 7

Reliable:Not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime

Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity

Still relatively abundant ,so cost-effective

Question 8

Three advantages of nuclear power

Answer 8

Very large amounts or energy for relatively small quantities of fuel

Doesnt release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change

Low fuel costs

Question 9

Three disadvantages of nuclear power

Answer 9

1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
2. Non-Renewable energy source
3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal
   consequences on humans and the environment

Question 10

How does hydroelectric power produce energy?

Answer 10

● Rainwater collects behind a dam
● When this water is released, it is used
to turn a turbine
● This turbine turns a generator which
produces electricity

Question 11

What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

Answer 11

● ●
When plants are burned or decay they release CO2 In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land which leads to problems because:
○ The land could have been natural habitats Destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it, which would release CO2
Growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing food

Question 12

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 12

● They do not produce greenhouse gases ● They are quite reliable, as tides happen
twice a day
● They are cheap to run as tides are
natural, and so are free

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 13

● The dam may cause flooding
● It can cost a lot to install the required
infrastructure

Question 14

What are some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 14

● They don’t cause harm to the environment
● They are a renewable resource
● They can be used in remote areas where
other types of energy are less accessible

Question 15

Give examples of social factors which may act as a deterrent for certain types of energy production.

Answer 15

● Visual Pollution ● Sound Pollution
(both of these are disadvantages of wind farms)

Question 16

Renewable energy : key features

Answer 16

Infinite ( will never run out)
Most renewable energy resources damage the environment
Unreliable (weather dependent in most cases)

Question 17

Non-renewable energy : key features

Answer 17

All damage the environmment
Provide most of our energy
Finite
Reliable
Release carbon dioxide
Release sulfur dioxide

Question 18

Problem with burning coal and oil

Answer 18

Releases sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain

Question 19

Wind energy : key features

Answer 19

Consists of wind turbines in exposed areas such as coasts
Each turbine has a generator which produces electricity

Causes visual and noise pollution
High initial costs however low maintenance costs

Weather dependent

Question 20

Solar cells: key features

Answer 20

Solar cells generate electric currents directly from sunlight
Used in remote places
No pollution
Most Effective in sunny countries but can be used in most places
Initial costs are high but running costs are almost nothing
Usually used to generate electricity on a relatively small scale

Question 21

Geothermal power: key features

Answer 21

In volcanic areas or where hot rocks lie quite near to the surface
The source is slow decay of various radioactive elements including uranium, deep inside the earth
Low damage to the environment
Free and reliable
Used to generate electricity or heat buildings directly

Question 22

Hydro-electric power: key features

Answer 22

Requires the flooding of a valley by building a big dam. Water leaves through turbines.
Large impact on environment, visual pollution
Can provide an immediate response to an increased demand in electricity
Relies on rainfall
Initial costs are high but minimal running costs
Risk of dam break

Question 23

Wave power: key features

Answer 23

Lots of small wave powered turbines around the coast. The moving turbines are connected to a generator.
Disturb the sea bed and animal habitats
Unreliable (wind dependent)
Small scale
High initial costs but no fuel costs and minimal running costs

Question 24

Tidal barrages: key features

Answer 24

Big dams built across river estuaries, with turbines in them. As the tide comes in it fills up the estuary. The water is then allowed out through turbines at a controlled speed.
Produced by gravitational pull
No pollution
Reliable
High initial costs but no fuel costs and minimal running costs.

Question 25

Biofuels: key features

Answer 25

Burning crops or animal waste (chemical energy) to make thermal energy which can be converted into electricity.
Renewable
Reliable
Examples include manure and vegetable oil
Large areas of crops may need to be chopped down.