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Design And Technology > Using Energy And Materials > Flashcards

Using Energy And Materials Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

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

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2
Q

What is a wind farm?

A

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

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3
Q

List two advantages of wind energy.

A
  • Constantly available and sustainable
  • Low running costs
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4
Q

List two disadvantages of wind energy.

A
  • Little or no energy produced during low wind periods
  • High initial construction costs
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5
Q

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

A

True

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6
Q

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

A

[sustainable]

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7
Q

What is a common public concern regarding wind turbines?

A

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

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8
Q

What are solar panels made from?

A

Photovoltaic cells

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

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9
Q

What is a key benefit of solar power?

A

Clean energy from a plentiful supply

Solar power is renewable and does not produce harmful emissions.

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10
Q

What is one major challenge in solar energy development?

A

Making solar panels more efficient

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

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11
Q

Why is the placement of solar panels important?

A

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

Proper placement maximizes the amount of energy collected.

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12
Q

What is an advantage of solar energy?

A

Reduces household energy bills

Solar energy can lead to significant savings on electricity costs.

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13
Q

What is a common aesthetic concern regarding solar panels?

A

Some people do not like the look of solar panels

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

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14
Q

What is a disadvantage of installing solar panels?

A

Costs a lot to install

The upfront costs can be a barrier for many homeowners.

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15
Q

When do solar panels produce little electricity?

A

During considerable cloud cover, winter months, or at night

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

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16
Q

What is tidal energy?

A

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.

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17
Q

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

A

Around a fifth.

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

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18
Q

What causes the change in water levels known as tides?

A

The gravitational pull of the moon.

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

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19
Q

Define ‘high tide’.

A

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

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20
Q

Define ‘low tide’.

A

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

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21
Q

What is a tidal barrage?

A

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.

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22
Q

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

A

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

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23
Q

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

A

To convert the kinetic energy of moving water into electricity.

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24
Q

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

A

moon.

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25
Q

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

A

False.

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

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26
Q

List the key components related to tidal energy.

A
  • Tidal energy
  • High tide
  • Low tide
  • Barrage
  • Mouth of river
  • Ocean
  • Turbine.
27
Q

What is a tidal barrage?

A

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

28
Q

How does a tidal barrage generate electricity?

A

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

29
Q

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

A

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

30
Q

What is a key advantage of tidal energy?

A

Clean, renewable energy source.

31
Q

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

A

Tidal power plants will last for a long time.

32
Q

What is a disadvantage of constructing tidal barrages?

A

Construction of tidal barrages is expensive.

33
Q

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

A

The environmental impact of tidal barrages is unknown.

34
Q

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

A

Could produce a fifth of the UK’s needs.

35
Q

Why is tidal power particularly viable for the UK?

A

It is an island surrounded by the sea.

36
Q

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

A

A dam

37
Q

What is created behind the dam in a hydroelectric scheme?

A

A reservoir

38
Q

What is the purpose of valves in a hydroelectric system?

A

To direct and release water through turbines

39
Q

What do turbines in a hydroelectric scheme do?

A

Turn generators to produce electricity

40
Q

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

A

Generator

41
Q

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

A

False

42
Q

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

A

Water

43
Q

What happens to water behind a dam?

A

It is directed and released by valves through turbines.

44
Q

What do turbines do in a hydroelectric system?

A

They turn generators to produce electricity.

45
Q

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

A
  • Clean, renewable energy source
  • Valves can be opened very quickly to produce energy at peak times
  • No pollution when running it
46
Q

What is a disadvantage of constructing dams for hydroelectricity?

A

Construction of dams is expensive.

47
Q

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

A

True.

48
Q

Fill in the blank: Hydroelectricity affects wildlife by _______.

A

[flooding the valley].

49
Q

What objections might arise from the construction of dams?

A

Objections from people in the surrounding environment.

50
Q

What is biomass energy?

A

Energy produced by growing plants or using animal materials to be burned for heat

Biomass energy does not involve using the materials for consumption.

51
Q

Name two plants that are commonly grown as biomass crops.

A
  • Rapeseed
  • Willow
52
Q

What is one advantage of biomass energy?

A

Clean, renewable energy source

53
Q

What is one disadvantage of biomass energy?

A

Creates atmospheric pollution when burned

54
Q

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

A

[agriculture]

55
Q

What gas is released during the burning of biomass?

A

Carbon dioxide

56
Q

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

A

False

57
Q

How quickly can replacement plants be grown for biomass energy?

A

Very quickly to ensure a good supply

58
Q

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

A

Around a third

This statistic highlights the growing role of renewable sources in the UK’s energy mix.

59
Q

What type of resource are renewable energy sources considered?

A

Non-finite resource

Renewable energy sources are sustainable and can be replenished naturally.

60
Q

Name three examples of renewable energy sources.

A
  • Wind
  • Solar
  • Tidal

Other examples include hydroelectric and biomass.

61
Q

How is wind energy harnessed?

A

Through the use of wind turbines

Wind turbines are tall towers with three propeller blades.

62
Q

What do wind turbines typically look like?

A

Tall towers with three propeller blades (vanes)

These turbines are commonly found throughout the UK.

63
Q

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

A

[wind turbines]

64
Q

True or False: Renewable energy sources can be exhausted.

A

False

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

Design And Technology (3 decks)

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