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Geography iGCSE > 3.5 - Energy > Flashcards

3.5 - Energy Flashcards

1
Q

Reasons for an increase in energy demand (name 2)

A
  • Higher demand for food leads to more intensive farming which requires more energy for machines, light and heat
  • Increasing industry requires energy for heating, lighting and machinery
  • There is more transport all of which requires energy in the form of petrol, diesel or electricity
  • Urbanisation increases with development increasing domestic appliances, heating, lighting
  • Increased wealth means people buy more appliances and technology which require energy
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2
Q

Non-renewable energy

A

Finite or non-sustainable source of energy (e.g. fossil fuels, oil)

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3
Q

Renewable energy

A

A resource that can be used continually without running out (e.g. wind power, hydro-electric power)

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4
Q

Natural gas

A

Flammable gas consisting largely of methane and other hydrocarbons, occuring naturally underground and used as fuel.

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5
Q

Sustainable

A

Causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time.

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6
Q

Advantages of coal (name 2)

A
  • World reserves estimated to be 120 years
  • Reliable and easy to produce energy from
  • Technology has enabled coal to be obtained more easily
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7
Q

Disadvantages of coal (name 2)

A
  • Non-renewable - it will run out
  • Releases carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) and sulphur dioxide (causes acid rain) when burnt
  • Heavy and bulky to transport
  • Most accessible coal has been used and so the cost of production has increased as coal reserves are more difficult to access
  • Risk of accidents due to mine collapse and gas release
  • Opencast mining damages large areas of the environment
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8
Q

Advantages of oil and gas (name 2)

A
  • Reliable and easy to produce energy from
  • Efficient - it has a high energy density so produces a lot of energy per kilogram
  • Not as harmful to the environment as coal (gas is the least harmful)
  • Easy to transport via pipeline
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9
Q

Disadvantages of oil and gas (name 2)

A
  • World reserves estimated to be between 50-60 years
  • Non-renewable - they will run out
  • The gases released when they are burnt are greenhouse gases
  • Oil spills damage the environment and wildlife over large areas
  • Prices fluctuate rapidly
  • Supplies can be affected by conflict and political disagreements e.g. the war in Ukraine
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10
Q

Wind energy advantages (name 2)

A
  • No air or water pollution
  • Free source of energy
  • Wind farms are relatively inexpensive
  • The land of the wind farms can be used for other purposes
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11
Q

Wind energy disadvantages (name 2)

A
  • Requires constant and significant amount of air
  • Requires significant amount of space
  • Have visual impacts on landscapes
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12
Q

Solar energy advantages (name 2)

A
  • Infinite source of energy supply
  • No air and water pollution
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13
Q

Solar energy disadvantages (name 2)

A
  • Manufacture and implementation can be expensive
  • Storage and back up is mandatory
  • Workability depends on the availability of sun light
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14
Q

Hydro power advantages (name 2)

A
  • Sources are abundant, clear and safe
  • No standby losses
  • Relatively inexpensive
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15
Q

Hydro power disadvantages (name 2)

A
  • Large areas of land are flooded behind the dam
  • Dam traps sediment which can affect ecosystems downstream
  • The installation of hydropower plants can be time-consuming and disruptive for people who live nearby.
  • Dams can irreversibly alter the habitats of water-dwelling species, and kill off members of those species at an alarming rate.
  • Visual pollution
  • Can prevent fish movement upstream
  • Expensive to build and maintain
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16
Q

Bio energy advantages (name 2)

A
  • Uses waste or biofuels which regrow
  • Available in most locations
17
Q

Bio energy disadvantages (name 2)

A
  • Air pollution
  • Produces greenhouse gases
  • Expensive
18
Q

Geothermal energy advantages (name 2)

A
  • No CO2 gases
  • Lots of potential sites
  • Reliable
  • Can produce large amounts of energy
19
Q

Geothermal energy disadvantages (name 2)

A
  • Expensive
  • Emits sulphuric gases
  • High temperatures cause maintenance issues
20
Q

Tidal energy advantages (name 2)

A
  • No greenhouse gas emissions
  • No air pollution
  • Has the potential to produce large amounts of energy
  • Reliable
21
Q

Tidal energy disadvantages (name 2)

A
  • Expensive to build and maintain
  • Can affect marine ecosystems
  • Few suitable sites
22
Q

Reasons for increase in the use of renewable energy (name 3)

A
  • Non-renewable fossil fuels will at some point run out and so they need to be replaced with another energy source
  • The use of non-renewable fuels is damaging to the environment.
    • Fossil fuels when burnt release greenhouse gases and the sulphur dioxide released causes acid rain
    • Mining and drilling for fossil fuels can destroy habitats and damage the surrounding environment
  • Increasing awareness of the impact of using fossil fuels has resulted in international pressure to reduce their use
  • Cut greenhouse gas emissions for a cleaner environment and to satisfy international obligations. (“Kyoto Protocol”)
23
Q

How does hydroelectric power work and where are HEP stations located?

A

Hydropowerrefers to power generated from water by rotating turbines. The force of falling water generally causes the turbines to rotate causing mechanical movements that create electrical energy, which is then distributed to homes, offices and industries.
* HEP stations are located in hilly areas where dams can be built conveniently and large water reservoirs can be obtained.
* In a HEP station, water head is created by constructing a dam across a rive or lake.

24
Q

Advantages of nuclear power (name 3)

A
  • No greenhouse gas emissions
  • Efficient
  • Small amounts of uranium needed, and large reserves are available
  • It is not bulky so is easy to transport
  • Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
  • Increases energy security
25
Q

Disadvantages of nuclear power (name 3)

A
  • Nuclear waste is radioactive and expensive to dispose of
  • Power stations are expensive
  • Risk of nuclear accidents
  • Possible health impacts in the areas around nuclear power stations
  • Cost of decommissioning (shutting down) is very high
  • Risk of use of nuclear fuel by terrorists or rogue states
26
Q

How does nuclear power work?

A

Nuclear fission takes place: atoms are split apart, which releases energy.
* During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation.

27
Q

Requirements for energy security

A
  • Uninterrupted supply of energy
  • Affordable supply
  • Accessible supply
28
Q

Energy gap

A

When a country cannot meet the demand for energy using its own resources
* have to import

29
Q

Energy mix proportions

A
  • The most economically developed have a wider use of renewables and nuclear energy
  • The newly emerging countries are more dependent on fossil fuels
  • The least economically developed countries are dominated by biofuels which is mostly fuel wood used for heating and cooking particularly in rural areas

Geography iGCSE (38 decks)

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