Topic 9 Consuming Energy Resources Flashcards
What three catagories can energy sources be split into
Renewable, non-renewable, recyclable
Give 3 examples of renewable resources
Wind energy
Solar energy
Hydroelectric power
What uses wind energy for energy
Turbines use the energy of the wind to generate electricity, either on land or at sea. Turbines are often built in large windfarms
What uses solar energy for energy
Energy from the sun is used to heat water and solar cookers or to generate electricity using photovoltaic cells
How does Hydroelectric power create energy
HEP uses the energy of falling water. Water is trapped by a dam and allowed to fall through tunnels, where the pressure of the falling water turns turbines to generate electricty
How do you determine if an energy source is renewable
If it can be replenished on a very short timescale
How do you determine if energy is non-renewable
If an energy source cant be replenished quickly, take millions of years to form
Give 3 fossil fuels that are examples of non-renewable soyrces
Coal, oil, natural gas
Explain how fossil fuels are non-renewable
They formed millions of years ago from the remains of dead organisms. They can be extracted from the ground and seabed.
What are recyclable energy sources
Energy sources are those made from waste products or whose waste products can be used to generate more energy
Give 2 examples of recyclable energy sources
Nuclear energy and biofuels
Explain how nuclear energy is recyclable
Nuclear energy uses uranium atoms - when they split lots of heat is produced which is used to boil water. The steam turns a turbine, generating electricity. New breeder reactors can generate more fuel during the splitting process making nuclear energy more like a renewable energy source. Radioactive waste can also be processed so it can be used to generate more electricty
What are 3 environmental impacts of mining
Surface mining strips away soil rock and vegetation which can permanently scar the landscape
Habitats are destroyed to make way for mines
Clearing forests affects water cycle because there are fewer trees to take up water from the ground
Give 3 effects of drilling on the environment
Onshore drilling requires land to be stripped of vegetation to make space for drills and roads to access the sites
Oil spills causes Major damage to the environment especially out at sea which reduces animals to move freely as the oil coats their fur
Extracting natural gas from underground reserves can cause methane to leak in the atmosphere making greenhouse effect strong warming our atmosphere
Give 3 negative affects wind turbine has on the environment
They take up a lot of space
Noise pollution
Can kill flying animals
Give 3 negative affects solar energy has on the environment
They use ground and surface water so can lead to water shortages in arid areas
Heat reflected from mirrors can kill wildlife
Solar panels built on the ground can disturb and damage habitats
Give 3 negative impacts HEP has on the environment
Floods a large area of land
The river on which the dam is built can be affected by changes in water flow
A build up of sediment can block sunlight causing plants and algae in the river to die
What are the 5 factors that affect the access to energy
Tehnology, geology, accessibility, climate, landscape
How does technology have an impact on a countrys access to energy
Countries arent able to exploit their energy resources as the technology required is unavailable or too expensive.
How does geology have an impact on a countrys access to energy
Fossil fuels are found in sedimentary rock where impermeable rocks have trapped the oil and gas in the permeable rocks below. Countries located on plate boundaries may be able to access geothermal energy (using the earths heat to generate power)
How does accessibility have an impact on a countrys access to energy
An area might not be able to access their energy resources. And areas that are protected such as Antarctica cant exploit their energy resources
How does climate have an impact on a countrys access to energy
Solar power requires lots of sunlight. Countries with low sunlight throughout the day cant use solar energy effectiveky
How does landscape have an impact on a countrys access to energy
Wind turbines are most efficient innareas with a steay and reliable source of wind
What type of countries use more of biofuels for their energy
Developing / emerging countries
What are the two main places being explored for conventional energy reserves
Arctic circle and the amazon rainforest
Give two economical benefits from exploiting mew oil and gas reserves
Countries can make money from exporting energy
Oil and bas companies bring jobs to an area
What are two environmental costs due to exploiting new oil and gas
Land may have to be cleared to make way for pipelines and ghosts. This can disrupt fragile ecosystems and cause a loss of biodiversity
Exploring off shore oil and gas reserves can impact marine life as the noise and vibrations from drills can confuse whales and other animals that rely on sound to communicate, navigate and find food
What two methods are used to exploit unconventional energy reserves
Hydraulic fracking
Extraction of tar sands
What is a disadvantage of biofuels
Methane may be released from rotting organic matter in resevoirs
What is a disadvantage of solar energy
Toxic metals are used in the production of the equipment for generating energy which will increase greenhouse effect
