Topic 3 - Energy Resources. Flashcards
Where does most of our energy come from in the modern day?
The combustion of fossil fuels like oil or natural gas.
How do oil or coal powered power stations work?
They use the burning of these fossil fuels as a heat source to boil water and use the steam to turn a turbine to generate electricity.
Where is methane gas, used in biofuels, collected from?
From cattle manure, sewage works and decaying rubbish, reusing useless products to generate electricity.
What is a biofuel?
Energy taken from a living organism.
What two properties do biofuels have that fossil fuels lack?
1) Biofuels are renewable as biotic sources grow back and thus this source of energy can be used forever.
2) Biofuels do not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which adds to the climate crisis.
How does nuclear power work?
Energy is taken from either the splitting or fusion of atoms.
Where is fissile material stored? Why is this a problem?
Fissile material are stored in cans and, because they have to decay to not be a contaminant f radiation, they need to be stored somewhere where they can decay safely, otherwise they become a severe health hazard.
How does a reactor core of a nuclear power plant work?
The energy of the core (from the decay or fusion of atoms) is very hot, this heats the coolant which flows to the heat exchanger where the energy transferred from the coolant boils water, turning a turbine, like in fossil fuel powered reactors.
How do wind turbines work?
The force of the wind drives the blades of the wind turbine around, turning a generator which generates electricity.
Why is wind power insufficient for our power demands?
Wind power is inconsistent as we cannot control the wind and it may not always be windy so no electricity may be produced for days.
How does wave power work?
The force of a wave is used to move a floating generator up and down, turning the generator, generating electricity.
What are two downsides of wave power?
1) Wave strength varies, meaning electricity generation is inconsistent.
2) Waves are strong in storms, so these generators need to be strong and sturdy to withstand wave power, costing more money.
How does tidal power work?
A tidal power generator traps two sides of a high tide behind a barrage, the turbines in the powers powering a generator, producing electricity.
How are coastal tidal power generators connected to the rest of the UK?
Underwater cables connect coastal generators through the national grid, the electricity supply system.
What are the problems with solar power?
Solar power only works during daylight hours and times where the sun is bright in the sky, they are very expensive to install, lots of them and therefore lots of money is required to generate a decent amount of electricity.
