Using Energy And Materials

Question 1

What is the primary function of the blades in a wind turbine?

Answer 1

The blades turn with the wind, driving a generator which produces electricity.

Question 2

What is a wind farm?

Answer 2

A large grouping of wind turbines, often located off-shore, to produce electricity.

Question 3

List two advantages of wind energy.

Answer 3

• Constantly available and sustainable
• Low running costs

Question 4

List two disadvantages of wind energy.

Answer 4

• Little or no energy produced during low wind periods
• High initial construction costs

Question 5

True or False: Wind energy has no cost associated with it.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

Fill in the blank: Wind energy is constantly available and _______.

Answer 6

[sustainable]

Question 7

What is a common public concern regarding wind turbines?

Answer 7

Some people do not like the look of wind turbines or feel that they spoil the natural landscape.

Question 8

What are solar panels made from?

Answer 8

Photovoltaic cells

Photovoltaic cells harness the Sun’s light energy and convert it into electricity.

Question 9

What is a key benefit of solar power?

Answer 9

Clean energy from a plentiful supply

Solar power is renewable and does not produce harmful emissions.

Question 10

What is one major challenge in solar energy development?

Answer 10

Making solar panels more efficient

There is considerable development work needed to improve the efficiency of solar panels.

Question 11

Why is the placement of solar panels important?

Answer 11

To track the path of the sun and harness optimum solar energy

Proper placement maximizes the amount of energy collected.

Question 12

What is an advantage of solar energy?

Answer 12

Reduces household energy bills

Solar energy can lead to significant savings on electricity costs.

Question 13

What is a common aesthetic concern regarding solar panels?

Answer 13

Some people do not like the look of solar panels

There are concerns that solar panels spoil the appearance of buildings.

Question 14

What is a disadvantage of installing solar panels?

Answer 14

Costs a lot to install

The upfront costs can be a barrier for many homeowners.

Question 15

When do solar panels produce little electricity?

Answer 15

During considerable cloud cover, winter months, or at night

Solar panels rely on sunlight, thus their efficiency drops in these conditions.

Question 16

What is tidal energy?

Answer 16

Energy generated from the gravitational pull of the moon causing water level changes known as tides.

Tidal energy is a renewable energy source that can potentially meet a significant portion of electricity demand.

Question 17

What percentage of its electricity demand could the UK potentially harness from tidal power?

Answer 17

Around a fifth.

This indicates a significant potential for growth in the use of tidal energy in the UK.

Question 18

What causes the change in water levels known as tides?

Answer 18

The gravitational pull of the moon.

The sun also plays a role, but the moon has a more significant impact on tides.

Question 19

Define ‘high tide’.

Answer 19

The point at which the water level reaches its highest point in the tidal cycle.

Question 20

Define ‘low tide’.

Answer 20

The point at which the water level reaches its lowest point in the tidal cycle.

Question 21

What is a tidal barrage?

Answer 21

A dam built across the entrance of an estuary to capture the energy of tides.

Tidal barrages can help generate electricity by controlling water flow.

Question 22

What is the ‘mouth of a river’ in relation to tidal energy?

Answer 22

The point where a river meets the ocean, often affected by tidal changes.

Question 23

What is the function of a turbine in tidal energy generation?

Answer 23

To convert the kinetic energy of moving water into electricity.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Tidal energy relies on the gravitational pull of the _______.

Answer 24

moon.

Question 25

True or False: The UK currently generates a large amount of energy from tidal power.

Answer 25

False. ## Footnote The UK currently generates only a small amount of energy from tidal power.

Question 26

List the key components related to tidal energy.

Answer 26

* Tidal energy * High tide * Low tide * Barrage * Mouth of river * Ocean * Turbine.

Question 27

What is a tidal barrage?

Answer 27

A tidal barrage is built across the mouth of a river where it meets the ocean.

Question 28

How does a tidal barrage generate electricity?

Answer 28

The barrage is constructed so that the incoming tide passes through turbines to generate electricity.

Question 29

What is harnessed during the outgoing tide in a tidal barrage?

Answer 29

The reverse flow of the water when the tide goes out.

Question 30

What is a key advantage of tidal energy?

Answer 30

Clean, renewable energy source.

Question 31

What is a benefit regarding the lifespan of tidal power plants?

Answer 31

Tidal power plants will last for a long time.

Question 32

What is a disadvantage of constructing tidal barrages?

Answer 32

Construction of tidal barrages is expensive.

Question 33

What is a concern regarding the environmental impact of tidal barrages?

Answer 33

The environmental impact of tidal barrages is unknown.

Question 34

What percentage of the UK's energy needs could tidal power potentially produce?

Answer 34

Could produce a fifth of the UK's needs.

Question 35

Why is tidal power particularly viable for the UK?

Answer 35

It is an island surrounded by the sea.

Question 36

What do hydroelectric schemes use to block a valley or major river?

Answer 36

A dam

Question 37

What is created behind the dam in a hydroelectric scheme?

Answer 37

A reservoir

Question 38

What is the purpose of valves in a hydroelectric system?

Answer 38

To direct and release water through turbines

Question 39

What do turbines in a hydroelectric scheme do?

Answer 39

Turn generators to produce electricity

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The _______ is a key component in hydroelectric schemes that converts water flow to electricity.

Answer 40

Generator

Question 41

True or False: A reservoir is formed in front of the dam in a hydroelectric scheme.

Answer 41

False

Question 42

What flows through turbines in a hydroelectric system to generate electricity?

Answer 42

Water

Question 43

What happens to water behind a dam?

Answer 43

It is directed and released by valves through turbines.

Question 44

What do turbines do in a hydroelectric system?

Answer 44

They turn generators to produce electricity.

Question 45

What are the advantages of hydroelectricity? List at least two.

Answer 45

* Clean, renewable energy source * Valves can be opened very quickly to produce energy at peak times * No pollution when running it

Question 46

What is a disadvantage of constructing dams for hydroelectricity?

Answer 46

Construction of dams is expensive.

Question 47

True or False: Hydroelectricity does not cause pollution when running.

Answer 47

True.

Question 48

Fill in the blank: Hydroelectricity affects wildlife by _______.

Answer 48

[flooding the valley].

Question 49

What objections might arise from the construction of dams?

Answer 49

Objections from people in the surrounding environment.

Question 50

What is biomass energy?

Answer 50

Energy produced by growing plants or using animal materials to be burned for heat ## Footnote Biomass energy does not involve using the materials for consumption.

Question 51

Name two plants that are commonly grown as biomass crops.

Answer 51

* Rapeseed * Willow

Question 52

What is one advantage of biomass energy?

Answer 52

Clean, renewable energy source

Question 53

What is one disadvantage of biomass energy?

Answer 53

Creates atmospheric pollution when burned

Question 54

Fill in the blank: Land used for energy crops may be needed for other purposes such as _______.

Answer 54

[agriculture]

Question 55

What gas is released during the burning of biomass?

Answer 55

Carbon dioxide

Question 56

True or False: Biomass energy does not allow for the reuse of carbon dioxide by plants.

Answer 56

False

Question 57

How quickly can replacement plants be grown for biomass energy?

Answer 57

Very quickly to ensure a good supply

Question 58

What percentage of the UK's electricity was generated by renewable energy in 2018?

Answer 58

Around a third ## Footnote This statistic highlights the growing role of renewable sources in the UK's energy mix.

Question 59

What type of resource are renewable energy sources considered?

Answer 59

Non-finite resource ## Footnote Renewable energy sources are sustainable and can be replenished naturally.

Question 60

Name three examples of renewable energy sources.

Answer 60

* Wind * Solar * Tidal ## Footnote Other examples include hydroelectric and biomass.

Question 61

How is wind energy harnessed?

Answer 61

Through the use of wind turbines ## Footnote Wind turbines are tall towers with three propeller blades.

Question 62

What do wind turbines typically look like?

Answer 62

Tall towers with three propeller blades (vanes) ## Footnote These turbines are commonly found throughout the UK.

Question 63

Fill in the blank: Wind energy is harnessed through the use of _______.

Answer 63

[wind turbines]

Question 64

True or False: Renewable energy sources can be exhausted.

Answer 64

False ## Footnote Renewable energy sources are non-finite and can be replenished.