P1 Hydro-electricity, Waves and Tides (page 175)

Question 1

What is Hydro-electric power?

Answer 1

It uses falling water. It usually requires the flooding of a valley by building a big Dam. Water is allowed out through turbines. (there is no pollution).

Question 2

Whe is there a big impact on the environment, due to flooding of the valley?

Answer 2

Due to the flooding of the valley, rotting vegetation releases methane and CO2/ Possible loss of habitat for some species (sometimes the loss of whole villages).

Question 3

What happens when reseviors dry up?

(RESERVIOR IS ARTIFICIAL LAKE CREATED BY THE FLOODING OF A DAM)

Answer 3

They can look very unsightly when they dry up, putting Hydroelectric power stations in remote valleys tend to reduce their impact of humans (have a negative affect on humans).

Question 4

What is a BIG advantage of Hydroelectricity?

Answer 4

It can provide an immediate response to an increased demand for electricity.

Question 5

Can Hydro-electricity be reliable?

Answer 5

Yes, except for times of drought - but his is Great Britian)!

Question 6

Is Hydro-electricity an expensive source of electricity?

Answer 6

The initial costa are high, but there are no fuel cost and minimal running costs.

Question 7

Where can Hydro-electric power be useful?

Answer 7

To generate electricity on a small scale in remote areas.

Question 8

What is Wave Power?

Answer 8

Lots of Little-Wave powered turbines.

Question 9

How are Wave Power turbines used, to produce electricity?

Answer 9

Lots of small wave turbines are located around the coast, (like with wind power (see page 174), the moving turbines are connected to a generator.

Question 10

Do Wave Turbines produce pollution?

Answer 10

No.

Question 11

What are the main problems using wind turbines?

Answer 11

They disturb the sea bed (bottom of the sea), and the habitats of marine animals, spoiling the view, and being a hazzard to boats.

Question 12

Are Wave Power Turbines a reliable source of electricity? Explain your answer?

Answer 12

They are fairly unreliable, as waves tend to die out when the wind drops.

Question 13

Is it expensive to produce electricity through wind power?

Answer 13

The initial costs are high, but there are no fuel costs and minimal running costs.

Question 14

Is Wave Power likely to produce energy on a large scale, and where would this be useful?

Answer 14

No not on a large scale, but would be useful on small islands.

Question 15

What is ‘Tidal Barrages’ for producing electricity?

Answer 15

Using the sun and moons gravity

Question 16

What is the common method to create electricity using Tidal Waves?

Answer 16

The most common method is building a tidal barrage.

Question 17

What are Tidal Barrages?

Answer 17

They are big Dams build across river estuaries with turbines in them.

Question 18

How do the Tidal Barrages work to produce electricity?

Answer 18

As the tide comes in, it fills up the estuary. The water is then allowed out through turbines at a controlled speed.

Question 19

How are tides produced?

Answer 19

By the gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon.

Question 20

Do Tidal Barrages produce pollution?

Answer 20

No.

Question 21

What problems can be caused using Tidal Barrages?

Answer 21

Preventing Free access by boats, spoiling the view and altering the habitat of the wildlife (e.g. Wading birds, (wading means to walk in water that is not very deep), sea creatures and beasties who live in the sand)).

Question 22

Are tides reliable?

Answer 22

Yes, they happen twice a day without fail, and always near to the predicted height.

Question 23

What are the negative drawbacks using Tides to produce electricity?

Answer 23

The height of the tide is variable, so lower (neap) tides will provide significantly less energy than the bigger ‘spring’ tides. They also don’t work when the water level is the same either side of the barrage - This happens four times a day because of the tides.

Question 24

Is it an expensive way using Tidal Barrages to produce electricity?

Answer 24

Initial costs are moderatly high, but there are no fuel costs and minimal running costs.

Question 25

Can Tidal Barrages be used in all estuaries? explain your answer

Answer 25

No, only some, as many are not suitable. Tidal power has the potential for generating a significant amount of energy.

Question 26

Give one negative environmental impact of Wave Power? ( mark)

Answer 26

They disturb the sea bed.
They deisturb the habitate of marine animals

(1 mark).