08. P3 Generating Electricity Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in 08. P3 Generating Electricity Deck (52)
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1
Q

Define - Acid rain

A

Environmental problem caused by sulfur dioxide (which is released by burning fossil fuels)

2
Q

Define - Base load

A

Constant amount of power generated by power stations. Usually supplied by stations with large start-up times (coal, nuclear etc.) andother methods used tomeet the variations in demand.

3
Q

Define - Biofuel

A

A carbon-neutral, renewable type of fuel obtained from living or recently living organisms (wood is common example)

4
Q

Define - Carbon Capture and Storage

A

Stops the release of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel power stations. Known as CCS.

5
Q

Define - Carbon-neutral

A

Only releases the same amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbed during its lifetime, so there is no overall increase in carbon dioxide by burning it.

6
Q

Define - Fossil Fuels

A

Coal, oil and gas. Finite fuels which have been produced over millions of years.

7
Q

Define - Geothermal energy

A

Uses heat from the energy released by radioactive substances deep within the Earth.

8
Q

Define - Hydroelectric power

A

Uses a dam that directs water through a turbine to generate electricity.

9
Q

Define - National grid

A

Network of cables and transformers that transfers electricity around the country.

10
Q

Define - Nuclear fission

A

Splitting nuclei to release energy. Used in Nuclear power stations.

11
Q

Define - Solar cell

A

Panel that converts energy from the sun into electrical energy. Also called a photovoltaic cell.

12
Q

Define - Solar heating panel

A

Panel that converts energy from the sun to thermal energy by heating water which is passing through the pipes.

13
Q

Define - Solar power tower

A

Uses many mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a water tank on top of a tower, steam produced turns turbines andthen generators.

14
Q

Define - Start-up time

A

Time taken for power stations to start up. Nuclear has the longest, then coal, then oil, then natural gas. Hydroelectric has shortest start up time

15
Q

Define - Step down transformer

A

Device for making the voltage of an AC supply lower.

16
Q

Define - Step up transformer

A

Device for making the voltage of an AC supply higher.

17
Q

Define - Tidal power

A

Uses trapped high tides to force water through a turbine to generate electricity.

18
Q

Define - Turbine

A

Rotates when steam or water is pushed through it. Used to drive a generator.

19
Q

Define - Wave power

A

Uses the movment of water waves to generate electricity by turning turbines and generators.

20
Q

Define - Wind power

A

Uses the wind to turn turbines/generator, and generate electricity.

21
Q

Advantages of biofuels

A

Renewable, Carbon neutral, reliable

22
Q

Advantages of Geothermal energy

A

Free fuel costs, No carbon dioxide released, renewable, reliable

23
Q

Advantages of hydroelectric power

A

No pollution, short start up time, fuel is free, reliable

24
Q

Advantages of nuclear power

A

Uranium is highly available(for now) and reliable, Lots of energy released per kg of fuel, No greenhouse gases

25
Q

Advantages of overhead cables

A

Cheaper to install and repair, easy to access so quicker, natural cooling by air, Thinner cables used

26
Q

Advantages of tidal barrages

A

No pollution, Reliable, Free fuel costs

27
Q

Advantages of underground cables

A

Not affected by bad weather, hidden, doesn’t harm low flying aircraft, reduced risk of shock

28
Q

Advantages of wave power

A

No carbon dioxide or carbon particulates emitted, renewable source, no fuel costs

29
Q

Advantages of wind power

A

No carbon dioxide or carbon particulate emitted, renewable source, no fuel costs

30
Q

Disadvantages of biofuels

A

Large areas of land needed to grow fuel, large amounts of fuel needed to match a fossil fuel output.

31
Q

Disadvantages of geothermal energy

A

Only possible in volcanic areas sos uitable sites difficult to find, expensive to build

32
Q

Disadvantages of hydroelectric power

A

Flood a valley, loss of habitat, high build costs

33
Q

Disadvantages of nuclear power

A

Produces nuclear waste, expensive to build, high safety costs, non-renewable

34
Q

Disadvantages of underground cables

A

Expensive to install and fix, takes longer to install, Insulation needed to reduce risk of electrocution

35
Q

Disadvantages of overhead cables

A

Eye-sore, Damages landscapes, Can be damamged by weather, Easy access allows possible vandalism, Hazard to low flying air crafts

36
Q

Disadvantages of solar cells

A

Only works at day time, unreliable, high initial costs (although these are getting cheaper)

37
Q

Disadvantages of tidal barrages

A

Prevents boat access, can affect habitat, high cost to build

38
Q

Disadvantages of wave power

A

Spoils view , hazard to boats, unreliable (no wind = no waves)

39
Q

Disadvantages of wind power

A

Spoils view(visual pollution), noise pollution, unreliable, large number needed (600ish) to produce same energy as a standard coal power station

40
Q

Decribe the processes in a fossil fuel power station

A

Fuel is burnt to release heat energy and boils the water, Water turns to steam, steam turns turbines, which turns generator to generate electrical energy

41
Q

Define - Finite

A

Will run out

42
Q

How is nuclear power made safe?

A

Reactors are cooled by water, fission slowed down by control rods, Fission reaction encased in steel vessels and thick concrete.

43
Q

Non-renewable

A

Resource that will run out once they’re used as they cannot be used again eg coal and oil

44
Q

Renewable

A

A resource that can be replaced/regenerated and will never run out eg solar and wind

45
Q

The national grid

A

The network of transformers cables and pylons that carry energy across the country

46
Q

Advantages of solar cells?

A

Free fuel costs, No carbon dioxide released, renewable

47
Q

What are tidal barrages?

A

Dams built across river estuaries which control the flow of tidal water

48
Q

What does nuclear power stations use as fuel?

A

Uranium (and some plutonium)

49
Q

Briefly describe nuclear fission in power stations

A

Nuclei splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing neutrons, and energy

50
Q

Which non-renewable resource has the quickest start up time?

A

Natural gas

51
Q

Why is the voltage stepped down?

A

The voltage is stepped down before it reaches the homes because it is less dangerous to use in homes

52
Q

Why is the voltage stepped up?

A

Higher voltage = lower current through wires = less heat loss in wires