Spec topic 6

Question 1

What are BIOTIC factors?

Answer 1

(living) resources are obtained from the biosphere –
they are capable of reproduction (for example, animals and
plants).

Question 2

What are ABIOTIC factors?

Answer 2

(non-living) resources are obtained from the
lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere (for example, soil,
sunlight and water).

Question 3

What are non-renewable resources?

Answer 3

Non-renewable resources take millions of years to form and
cannot be ‘remade’ (for example, coal, oil and gas).

Question 4

What are renewable resources?

Answer 4

Renewable resources can be naturally replenished and last
forever (for example, wind, solar and hydro-electric power).

Question 5

Give 3 impacts of human exploitation:

Answer 5

• Deforestation – threatens biodiversity and causes soil erosion. Palm oil plantations destroy habitats such as those in the Amazon.
• Overfishing – fishing provides a source of protein and jobs, but cod numbers have fallen in the North Sea.
• Oil extraction – toxic water pollutes rivers that indigenous peoples rely on for washing, cooking and fishing.
• Farming – intensive farming reduces biodiversity.

Question 6

Are natural resources evenly distributed?

Answer 6

Natural resources are not evenly distributed.

Question 7

Fossil fuels like c___ are found in s__________ rock regions such as the U__ and Canada. G___ is often found in past tectonically-active areas such as Australia. South America has huge reserves of c_____ along with South Africa.

Answer 7

coal
sedimentary
USA
Gold
copper

Question 8

In the UK, high p____________ in the north and west along with upland areas mean that hill sheep farming is common.
Warm s______ and flatter land, along with fertile soils, make East Anglia perfect for a_____ farming.
Oil and gas are e________ from the North Sea.

Answer 8

precipitation
summers
arable
extracted

Question 9

Is usage and consumption evenly distributed around the world?

Answer 9

Usage and consumption are not evenly distributed around the
world.

Question 10

Energy usage compared to developed and developing

Answer 10

Energy usage is higher in more developed countries, is
rising in China and India, and is low in less developed countries

Question 11

Food consumption compared to developed and developing

Answer 11

Food consumption is higher in developed countries like the USA and lower in many African countries.

Question 12

Water usage compared to developed and developing

Answer 12

Water usage – water consumption is greater in more developed countries and lower in less developed countries.

Question 13

Why is using non-renewable resources such as coal good?

Answer 13

• generates large amounts of energy (and there are still large
  reserves remaining)

Question 14

Why is using non-renewable resources such as coal bad?

Answer 14

• releases CO₂ into the atmosphere
• is dangerous
• is expensive.

Question 15

Why is using renewable resources such as wind good?

Answer 15

• doesn’t pollute the atmosphere

Question 16

Why is using renewable resources such as wind bad?

Answer 16

• only produces energy if there is wind
• is expensive to develop and wind farms can be considered
  ugly.

Question 17

The UK uses d_______ energy resources called the ‘energy m__’ to
meet demand. This includes coal, oil, gas, bioenergy and renewables. Fossil fuel consumption is d________, and renewables are on the increase.

Answer 17

different
mix
decreasing

Question 18

Global variations in the energy mix are dependent on several
factors.
Give 2
PAW

Answer 18

• Population – China has a huge population and therefore relies on the energy mix, whereas Iceland has a small population using hydroelectricity and geothermal energy. Some parts of the world are experiencing rapid population
  growth.
• Wealth – The USA can afford to invest in a range of energy types whereas poorer countries cannot afford renewable energy types.
• Availability – Iceland has a high percentage of geothermal energy in its energy mix due to its location. Other countries must import coal and oil.

Question 19

There are THREE key reasons why demand and supply have
changed in the past 100 years…

Answer 19

1. Rapid population growth (For example, in Brazil and China.)
2. Rising wealth – People are more able to afford goods that require fuel, such as cars.
3. Advances in technology – More electrical goods (for example, mobile phones), more efficient renewable energy and new energy sources.

Question 20

Give a people and environmental con of coal:

Answer 20

Mining is dangerous and can cause
subsidence.
Causes air and water pollution.

Question 21

Give a people and environmental con of oil:

Answer 21

Chemicals are harmful to people.
Land clearance
Spills pollute groundwater.

Question 22

Give a pro of oil:

Answer 22

Creates jobs

Question 23

Give a pro of natural gas:

Answer 23

Safer than coal and oil
Fewer emissions

Question 24

Give a con of natural gas:

Answer 24

Contributes to global warming

Question 25

Give a pro of uranium:

Answer 25

Produces less CO₂

Question 26

Give a people and environmental con of uranium:

Answer 26

Expensive
Risk of radiation exposure
Waste is highly radioactive

Question 27

Impacts of Hydroelectric power (HEP):

Answer 27

Provides jobs and encourages
tourism but can displace people during construction.
Environmentally, it is non-polluting, but deforestation often
takes place during construction.

Question 28

Impacts of wind power:

Answer 28

Wind power from wind farms can power homes, but they can be considered ugly. Environmentally, they do not produce CO₂ but they affect bird migration.

Question 29

Impacts of solar power:

Answer 29

Government investment in solar power is creating jobs, but solar panels require large amounts of land
(farmland). Environmentally, the construction uses toxic metals that can harm the environment.

Question 30

The development of f_______ using n__ technology could provide
the UK with s____ gas, reducing the need to i_____ natural gas.
Water mixed with sand and chemicals are injected into a well which releases shale gas. The chemicals are p________, and it uses a lot of w____.

Answer 30

fracking
new
shale
import
polluting
water

Question 31

2 different attitudes to fracking in the UK:

Answer 31

• An example is fracking in the UK.
• Some individuals protest against the exploitation of shale gas due to the impacts on the environment.
• However, the UK government and some businesses see fracking as a financial benefit, generating money for industry and services.
• Environmental pressure groups such as Greenpeace are against the burning of fossil fuels, fracking and nuclear energy, preferring the use of renewables.

Question 32

Sustainable management is ensuring that p______ needs are met without c_________g resources in the future.

Answer 32

Sustainable management is ensuring that present needs are met
without compromising resources in the future.

Question 33

According to scientists, dependency on f_____ f____could have
permanent impacts from climate change. Growing populations and
rapid economic development must encourage governments to
i_______ the use of renewable energy sources.

Answer 33

fossil fuels
increase

Question 34

Different views on meeting energy demands:

Answer 34

Individuals – More people are using energy efficient products and
solar panels, but many people believe they are still too expensive
and can be considered ugly.
Organisations – Businesses see using renewables as good for public relations, but they are expensive for smaller companies.
McDonald’s reuse cooking oil as fuel for their lorries and use LED
bulbs in their restaurants.
Governments – There are shared targets and pledges by world
leaders to reduce global warming (UN Climate Change Summit),
using ways such as the adoption of sustainable transport, bicycle
schemes and congestion charging in cities.