Simplified P2 - Global Warming, Fuels for Power

Question 1

What happens to most wavelengths of radiation when they come into contact with the atmosphere?

Answer 1

Most wavelengths of radiation can pass right through the Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 2

What happens to infra-red radiation in the Earth’s atmosphere?

Answer 2

infra-red radiation is absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere.

Question 3

How can carbon dioxide naturally occur in the atmosphere?

Answer 3

• Natural Forest fires
• Volcanic Eruptions
• Decay of dead plant and animal matter
• Its escape from the Oceans
• Respiration

Question 4

How is man made carbon dioxide caused?

Answer 4

Man made carbon dioxide is caused by:

• Burning Fossil fuels
• Cement manufacture
• Deforestation

Question 5

What is the most significant greenhouse gas?

Answer 5

Water vapour is the most significant greenhouse gas.

Question 6

How much of Water vapour is natural, and how much is man made?

Answer 6

• 0.001% comes from human activity

- Almost all of the water vapour occurs naturally

Question 7

How much of the greenhouse effect is caused by water vapour?

Answer 7

• 1/2 of the greenhouse effect is caused by water vapour

- 1/4 is caused by clouds

Question 8

How is methane produced?

Answer 8

Methane is produced when organic matter decomposes in an environment lacking oxygen.

Question 9

What are some natural sources of methane?

Answer 9

• Wetlands
• Termites
• Oceans

Question 10

What are some man made sources of methane?

Answer 10

• Burning of fossil fuels
• Digestive processes in animals: Cattle, pigs etc..
• Rice paddies
• Burying of waste in landfills.

Question 11

What is the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation from the sun?

Answer 11

The electromagnetic radiation wavelength is very short.

Question 12

How is the Earth Warmed?

Answer 12

Electromagnetic radiation from the sun has a relatively short wavelength, this radiation is absorbed by and warms the Earth.
The Earth then re-radiates the energy as infra-red radiation with a longer wavelength

Question 13

What effects can dust in the atmosphere have on Earth?

Answer 13

• Smoke from factories can reflect radiation from the town back to Earth, the temperature will rise as a result.
• Volcano ash clouds reflect the radiation from the sun back into space. The temperature falls as a result.

Question 14

What do scientists not agree about global warming?

Answer 14

Scientists do not agree about the extent to which human activity has contributed.

Question 15

Why do we pay less for electricity during the night?

Answer 15

We pay for less electricity during the night because not as much as is needed, but it still has to be produced.

Question 16

What factors can the choice of energy source depend on?

Answer 16

• Availability
• Ease of extraction
• Effect on the environment
• Associated Risks

Question 17

What is the national grid?

Answer 17

The national grid is a series of transformers and power lines that transport electricity from the power station to the consumer

Question 18

What do transformers stepping up help with?

Answer 18

• Reduced energy loss
• Reduced distribution cost
• Cheaper electricity for consumers.

Question 19

What are transformers used for?

Answer 19

Stepping up voltage

Stepping down voltage

Question 20

What happens to a wire current passes through it?

Answer 20

When a current passes through a wire it gets hot, the greater the current the hotter the wire.

Question 21

Why is less energy lost to the environment when you use step up transformers?

Answer 21

• When a transformer increases the voltage, the current is reduced, which means that there is less heating effect and therefore less energy lost to the environment.