2.2 Energy resources and the generation of electricity

Question 1

The demand for energy is increasing worldwide due to:

Answer 1

-Increasing population size.
-Increasing industrialisation and urbanisation.
-Improvements in standards of living and expectations.

Question 2

TYPES OF ENERGY RESOURCES

Answer 2

~Non-renewable resources
~Renewable resources

Question 3

RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Answer 3

renewable energy sources of energy are those than can
be replenished and therefore can be used over and
over again.

Question 4

Examples of renewable resources

7

Answer 4

1. biofuels (bioethanol, biogas
   and wood)
2. geothermal power,
3. hydro-electric power,
4. tidal power,
5. wave power,
6. solar power,
7. wind power

Question 5

non-renewable resources

Answer 5

as Non-renewable energy are used they cannot
be replaced, takes million of years to get replenished.

Question 6

examples of non-renewable resources

Answer 6

1. fossil fuels,
2. nuclear power using uranium

Question 7

Turbine

Answer 7

a machine, often containing fins, that is made to revolve by gas, steam or air (it is connected to a generator).
(rotates to generate mechanical energy)

Question 8

Generator

Answer 8

a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Question 9

generate energy from Fossil fuels and Biofuels:

Answer 9

1. These produce a massive amount of energy during combustion (burning) that is used to heat water and convert it into steam, which thereby turns the turbine
2. the turbine drives the generator. the generator produces electricity.

Question 10

generate energy from Geothermal power:

Answer 10

-Cold water is pumped under pressure into a layer of hot rocks.
-The rocks heat the water.
-The steam is produced which moves the turbine. The turbine drives the generator which produces electricity.

Question 11

generate energy from Wind power:

Answer 11

-Wind turbines have shafts (blades) that rotate due to wind.
-As the turbine rotates, the generator produces electricity.

Question 12

generate energy from Solar power:

Answer 12

-Uses photovoltaic cells that produce a small electric charge when exposed to light.
-A bank of cells organised into solar panels produces a significant amount of electricity.

Question 13

generate energy from tidal power

Answer 13

• Uses the natural rise and fall in the level of water in an area.
• the flow of water causes the turbine to spin; the turbine drives a generator; converts kinetic energy to electricity;
• as tide comes in AND as the tide goes out;

Question 14

generate electricity from Wave power:

Answer 14

• Uses the smaller differences in water levels that are caused by wind
• Also uses turbine and generator

Question 15

generate electricity from Hydro-electric power:

Answer 15

• water in reservoir is high up behind a dam, has gravitational potential energy;
• water flows down to turbine from dam
• moving water causes turbine to rotate;
• turbine turns generator (electricity produced);
• which converts kinetic energy to electrical energy

Question 16

energy generate from nuclear power

Answer 16

• uranium (radioactive element) releases huge amounts of energy when nuclear fission (splitting of the atom) occurs.
• This energy is used to heat the water, produce steam, and rotate the turbines.

Question 17

Fossil fuels (oil,
coal, natural gas) ad n dis

ad-3 dis-3

Answer 17

Advantages
1. Plentiful supply in some locations.
2. Extraction provides jobs
3. Existing technology: the fuel is available for most countries to use

Disadvantages
1. Carbon dioxide and toxic gases when burnt (impacting on climate change)
2. Extraction causes damage to local area
3. Limited supply: prices will rise as the supplies get smaller

Question 18

Nuclear power
(using uranium) dis and ad

ad-3 dis-3

Answer 18

Adavntages
* does not produces carbon dioxide
* Small amount of fuel produces large amounts of energy
* Power plants employ lots of people

Disadvantges
* Risk of radiation leakage (impact on human
health and environment)
* Waste products cannot be recycled as radiation is active for centuries
* Limited supply

Question 19

dis and ad Geothermal power

ad-3 dis-2

Answer 19

advantages
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Unlimited supply
* nonrenewable source

disadvantage
* Can be expensive to install
* Only certain areas have suitable conditions

Question 20

dis and ad Hydroelectric
power

ad- 2 dis- 2

Answer 20

advantage
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Water can be reused for other purposes

disadvantages
* impacts the natural flow of water
* Villages and ecosystems may be destroyed

Question 21

dis and ad of Tidal power

ad-3 dis -3

Answer 21

advantages
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Tidal movements not dependent on weather conditions
* renewable source

disadvantages
* Limited to specific coastal areas
* Impacts on the tourist industry and local fishers
* expensive to construct

Question 22

dis and ad of Wave power

ad-2 dis -3

Answer 22

advantages
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* A renewable source of power

disadvanatges
* Limited to specific areas
* Currently not very efficient, so large amounts of resources needed
* noise pollution

Question 23

dis and ad Solar power

ad-2 dis-2

Answer 23

advantgaes
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Sunlight is not a limited resource renewable

disadvantages
* Only efficient under certain weather conditions
* Visual impact and potential damage to local ecosystems

Question 24

dis and ad Wind power

ad-2 dis-3

Answer 24

adavnantges
* Does not produce carbon dioxide
* Uses a renewable resource

disadavnatges
* Only efficient under certain weather conditions and location
* Visual impact
* Uses a large area

Question 25

Biofuel ad and dis

ad-3 dis-3

Answer 25

advantages-
* Renewable source;
* Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions
* Plentiful supply.

disadvantage-
* Carbon dioxide and toxic gases are released when burnt;
* A lot of land is needed (Shortage of land for agriculture)
* Removal of natural ecosystems

Question 26

Economic factors as to deciding wether to use renew or non renew energy

4

Answer 26

• Energy supply is expensive due to increasing demand and limited sources.
• Nations rely on local fuels
• Plentiful supply and easy access for utilizing specific fuel types
• Dont have the required technology to utilize the resource