P3.4/5 - Energy + environment issues

Question 1

fossil fuels problem - ghg

Answer 1

• when they are brunt = ghg
• eg Co2
• contributes to ghg layer + global warming

Question 2

fossil fuel problem = sulfur dioxide

Answer 2

makes acid rain

Question 3

fossil fuels - non-renewable

Answer 3

can run out

-are finite

Question 4

Nuclear power pros:

Answer 4

• no ghg
• much more energy is transferred per kg than fossil fuels
• reliable

Question 5

Cons of nuclear power:

Answer 5

-radioactive waste = pollution
-has to be stored safely for centuries
-explosion in reactor = radioactive material over eniter area = damage area/ppl
-

Question 6

Renewable energy pros

Answer 6

-infinite
-no ghg
-no radioactive waste
-can be used where national grid in uneconomical
-

Question 7

cons of renewable energy

Answer 7

• not able to meet world’s demand yet
• not available all the time
• unreliable

Question 8

Wind turbine cons

Answer 8

• noise pollution
• considered unsightly
• can be unreliable

Question 9

tidal barrages cons:

Answer 9

• affect river habitats

- affects where river meets sea (estuaries)

Question 10

hydroelectric cons

Answer 10

• large reservoirs can damage wildlife

- as floods occur

Question 11

solar cells cons

Answer 11

• has to cover a large area to be useful
• solar panels are unreliable
• expensive to buy
• solar farms can use up lots of farmland

Question 12

pros of wind turbines

Answer 12

• no ghg

- land can still be used for farming

Question 13

tidal pros

Answer 13

• predictable

- large amounts of energy can be produced at regular intervals

Question 14

fossil fuels pros

Answer 14

• reliable

- can produce a lot of energy in short notice

Question 15

biofuel cons

Answer 15

• uses land that could be used for agriculture
• engines using biofuels will need to be modified
• can be costly
• can be labour-intensive

Question 16

hydroelectric pros:

Answer 16

• reliable
• can produce a lot of energy at short notice
• no ghg

Question 17

geothermal cons

Answer 17

• not many places are suitable

- restricted volcanic areas

Question 18

geothermal pros

Answer 18

• reliable
• no ghg
• buildings can be heated directly

Question 19

wave pros

Answer 19

• no ghg

- used for coastal town

Question 20

wave cons

Answer 20

• needs to be strong to withstand storms
• lots of cables are needed = spoils coastline
• habitats of marine life/birds can be affected