Topic 1 - Energy

Question 1

What are the 8 energy stores?

Answer 1

• kinetic
• gravitational potential
• chemical
• elastic potential
• magnetic
• electrostatic
• nuclear
• thermal

Question 2

How do you remember the 8 energy stores?

Answer 2

8kg of cement

Question 3

What are the 4 ways energy is transferred?

Answer 3

• mechanical work
• electrical work
• radiation (of light or sound)
• heating

Question 4

Define specific heat capacity

Answer 4

the energy it takes to raise the temperature of 1kg of material by 1°C

Question 5

Describe conduction in metals

Answer 5

• metals contain free electrons that move
• when the metal is heated, these electrons gain kinetic energy
• the electrons collide with other electrons and transfer some of their kinetic energy

Question 6

Describe convection in fluids

Answer 6

• when fluids are heated, the particles gain energy
• the hot particles are less dense than the cold ones so they rise and the cooler ones take their place
• eventually the hot particles lose energy and start to fall
• this creates a current in the fluid

Question 7

Define conduction

Answer 7

Conduction is the process where vibrating particles transfer energy to neighbouring particles

Question 8

Define convection

Answer 8

Convection is where energetic particles move from hotter to cooler regions

Question 9

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Answer 9

Energy can be transferred but never created or destroyed

Question 10

What are some ways to insulate a house?

Answer 10

• double glazed windows - air gap between two sheets of glass to prevent conduction
• draught excluders
• cavity walls

Question 11

Define non-renewable

Answer 11

They will run out someday and cause damage to the environment.

Question 12

Define renewable

Answer 12

They will never run out and are usually kinder to the environment

Question 13

Describe wind energy and some pros and cons

Answer 13

It uses kinetic energy from the wind to turn a generator.
Pros = no pollution, minimal running costs, land can be used for farming still
Cons = ugly, noisy, not reliable (not always windy)

Question 14

Describe solar energy and some pros and cons

Answer 14

Generates electric currents from the sunlight.
Pros = no pollution, fairly reliable, minimal running costs
Cons = can’t increase output when there’s more demand, lots of energy used for making them, high initial costs

Question 15

Describe geothermal energy and some pros and cons

Answer 15

The decay from radioactive elements or the heat from deep inside the earth generates energy.
Pros = reliable, no damage to environment
Cons = expensive, not many suitable places

Question 16

Describe hydroelectric power and some pros and cons

Answer 16

Uses kinetic energy from falling water.
Pros = no pollution, minimal running costs, fairly reliable
Cons = big impact on the environment, loss of habitat, high initial costs

Question 17

Describe wave power and some pros and cons

Answer 17

Smallwave-powered turbines are connected to a generator.
Pros = no pollution, minimal running costs
Cons = disturbing habitats, unreliable, high initial costs

Question 18

Describe tidal power and some pros and cons

Answer 18

Using barrages to turn turbines.
Pros = no pollution, fairly reliable
Cons = altering habitat, ugly, restrict boat access

Question 19

Describe bio fuels and some pros and cons

Answer 19

Burning plants or animal dung to produce energy.
Pros = carbon neutral??, fairly reliable
Cons = very expensive, can increase deforestation

Question 20

Describe nuclear energy and some pros and cons

Answer 20

Fission of uranium or plutonium to produce electricity.
Pros = no greenhouse gases, reliable, small amount of waste
Cons = waste is difficult to dispose of, radioactive, accidents can be fatal

Question 21

Describe fossil fuels and some pros and cons

Answer 21

Fossil fuels are burnt to produce energy.
Pros = pretty cheap, reliable, easy to find, large amounts of energy
Cons = pollution, non-renewable, can cause acid rain