Year8-Energy Recources Flashcards
When were coal oil and gas formed?
Millions of years ago and that is why they are called fossil fuels.
What is an energy resource?
A chemical that has energy
What are non-renewable recourses?
Recourses that you can use again but you can’t get when they run out.
How are non-renewable recourses formed?
Trees and sea creatures compress over millions of years
What do power stations produce?
Thermal power stations burn coal, oil and gas which make petrol, plastics etc… (energy)
How does a thermal power station work?
A fuel burns steam which moves a turbine which makes steam condense and goes in a cycle.
Why are fossil fuels bad?
Because it starts global warming from greenhouse gases.
What is an alternative to using fossil fuels?
Renewable recources.
How can you determine wether a recourse is renewable?
If you can replace it in your lifetime, then it is renewable.
Give examples of renewable recources
Wind energy, tidal energy, wave energy, biomass, solar energy, hydroelectric and geothermal.
Give some advantages of wave energy
No harmful byproducts, very powerful and produces 2640 TW compared to other sources.
Give a definition of wave energy
Using power from the waves and converting it into energy when brought back to land
Give some disadvantages of wave energy
The location for strong winds is required. Only towns nearby will benefit from it. Areas far from sea have to have an alternative
Give a definition of wind power
Wind power is produces by a turbine from kinetic energy which can convert itself into electricity.
Give some advantages of wind power.
It prevents pollution by using wind. It is easy to convert it into electricity. Wind everyday provides a good source of energy. It’s beneficial for everyone.
Give disadvantages of wind power.
In the making, it produces green house gases. Needs transport which can lead to traffic. Need the right location for more electricity.
What is nuclear energy?
It is the energy that holds together the nuclei of atoms.
Give some advantages of nuclear energy.
Easy to pay off when built. Low pollution rates. We have enough uranium for 70 to 80 years.
Give some disadvantages.
Has 3 waste streams. Radioactive material could be released into the environment if damaged. People could make there own nuclear energy for criminal uses.
What is tidal energy?
It is the energy obtained by the ocean
Give advantages of tidal energy
No manual work required so fully automatic. Doesn’t use any natural resources.
Disadvantages of tidal energy.
Slow process between different tines of tides. (Low to high). Could disrupt shipping routes when made and could kill an animal. Really expensive and hard to fix.
What is biomass?
Burning plants but releases carbon dioxide but can be regrown.
Advantages of biomass.
Takes i carbon dioxide by plants. Called carbon neutral because when burnt, the co2 goes to another plant. Very cheap to use as it is 1/3 the price of coal. Reduces landfill.
Disadvantages of biomass
Hold a lot of bacteria and bot 100% clean. Complex and expensive . Causes deforestation.
What is geothermal energy?
Hot water from the earth turns a turbine and which generates electricity and cold water that got compressed from steam is injected back to re-use.
Advantages of geothermal
No fuel costs. Good for house uses. Available anywhere.
Disadvantages of geothermal.
Unattainable. Greenhouse gases can ruse to the surface. Heating and cooling systems take a long time.
What is hydroelectric energy?
Water turns a turbine which converts into electricity.
Give advantages of hydroelectric.
Fuelled by water. Relied on the sun every day. Generate power quite fast.
Disadvantages of hydroelectrics
Expensive to perform. Needs a lot of water . Changes the environment in which the dam is built in.
What is solar energy?
Uses the suns rays and converts to electricty.
Give some disadvantages of solar energy.
The sun comes out everyday. Government supports it. Don’t produce any noise meaning you could put it on your house.
Solar energy disadvantages.
Needs clear weather. Solar panels are very expensive. Storing the energy is also expensive.
