T1 national and global energy resources

Question 1

what is a renewable energy resource

Answer 1

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

Question 2

give 4 examples of renewable energy resources

Answer 2

1. wind energy
2. hydro-electricity
3. tidal energy
4. solar energy

Question 3

give an example of a non-renewable energy resource

Answer 3

fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil and gas)

Question 4

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 emissions of carbon dioxide

Question 5

explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels

Answer 5

• CO2 contributes to the greenhouse effect, and causes global warming
• sulphur dioxide leads to acid rain, which can damage buildings and crops

Question 6

2 disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power

Answer 6

• output often determined by external factors, so supply is uncertain
• generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial

Question 7

3 advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource

Answer 7

1. reliable: not dependent on external factors so can generate power anytime
2. can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantity
3. still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

Question 8

3 advantages of nuclear power

Answer 8

1. very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel
2. doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change
3. low fuel costs

Question 9

3 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 hydroelectricity 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 them, you need to destroy land
• growing biofuels reduces the land available for growing food

Question 12

advantages of tidal energy

Answer 12

• don’t produce greenhouse gases
• reliable, as tides happen twice a day
• 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

- can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure

Question 14

advantages of solar panels

Answer 14

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

Question 15

give examples of a social factor 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)