3.5: Energy (Paper 1 and 2) Flashcards
Explain the advantages of coal: (3)
- World reserves estimated to be 120 years. (1)
- Reliable and easy to produce energy from. (1)
- Technology has enabled coal to be obtained more easily. (1)
Explain the advantages of oil: (5)
- They can be found very easily. (1)
- They are cost-effective. (1)
- Transportation of oil and gas can be done easily through pipelines. (1)
- They have become safer over time. (1)
- Despite being a finite resource, it is available in plenty. (1)
Explain the advantages of gas: (4)
- Reliable and easy to produce energy from. (1)
- Efficient - it has a high energy density so produces a lot of energy per kilogram. (1)
- Gas is the least harmful fossil fuel harmful to the environment. (1)
- Easy to transport via pipeline. (1)
Explain the advantages of fuelwood: (4)
- It is free. (1)
- Does not require technology. (1)
- Can be renewable if the trees are replaced. (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power: (11)
- Advantages: (5)
- Disadvantages: (6)
Advantages:
- Zero emissions of greenhouse gases
- Reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels
- Not as vulnerable to fuel price fluctuations as oil and gas. (1)
- In recent years, nuclear plants have demonstrated a very high level of reliability. (1)
- Nuclear technology can be used in fields like medicine and agriculture. (1)
Disadvantages:
- Power plant accidents can release radiation into air, land and sea
- Radioactive waste storage/disposal is expensive and dangerous
- Terrorists could use nuclear fuel for weapons
- High construction and decommissioning costs. (1)
- Seen by some people as less democratic than other sources of power. (1)
- There could be an increased risk of cancer near nuclear power plants. (1)
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Explain the advantages and disadvantages of geothermal power: (8)
- Advantages: (4)
- Disadvantages: (4)
Advantages:
- Extremely low environmental impact. (1)
- Geothermal plants occupy relatively small land areas. (1)
- Not dependent on weather conditions. (1)
- Relatively low maintenance cost. (1)
Disadvantages:
- There are a few locations worldwide where significant amounts of energy can be generated. (1)
- Total global generation remains very small. (1)
- Some of these locations are far from where the energy could be used. (1)
- Installation costs of plant and piping are relatively high. (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wind power: (10)
- Advantages (5)
- Disadvantages (5)
Advantages:
- No greenhouse gas emissions (1)
- No air pollution (1)
- Can be small or large scale (1)
- Cheap to run (1)
- Can be on land or offshore (1)
Disadvantages:
- Not reliable only works when the wind is strong enough but not too strong. (1)
- Visual pollution (1)
- Noise pollution (1)
- Many turbines are needed to produce the same energy as an average coal fired power station. (1)
- May affect bird migration patterns or kill birds who fly into the moving blades. (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric power: (8)
- Advantages: (3)
- Disadvantages: (5)
Advantages:
- No greenhouse gas emissions. (1)
- Controls flooding downstream. (1)
- May provide water storage for irrigation and domestic use. (1)
Disadvantages:
- Large dams and power plants can have a negative visual impact on the environment. (1)
- The obstruction of the river for aquatic life. (1)
- Deterioration in water quality. (1)
- Large areas of land may need to be flooded to form the reservoir behind the dam. (1)
- People and settlements would have to relocate. (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wave power: (7)
- Advantages: (3)
- Disadvantages: (4)
Advantages:
- Renewable (1)
- No atmospheric pollution (1)
- No fuel cost (1)
Disadvantages:
- Weather dependent (1)
- Low energy density (1)
- Hard to maintain (1)
- Bad for sea life (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of tidal power: (7)
- Advantages: (4)
- Disadvantages: (3)
Advantages:
- No greenhouse gas emissions. (1)
- No air pollution. (1)
- Has the potential to produce large amounts of energy. (1)
- Reliable. (1)
Disadvantages:
- Expensive to build and maintain (1)
- Can affect marine ecosystems. (1)
- Few suitable sites for it to take place (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of solar energy: (10)
- Advantages: (6)
- Disadvantages: (4)
Advantages:
- A completely renewable resource. (1)
- No noise or direct pollution. (1)
- Very limited maintenance required. (1)
- Technology is improving and reducing costs. (1)
- Can be used in remote areas where it is expensive for other sources of energy to be imported. (1)
- A generally positive public perception. (1)
Disadvantages:
- Initial high cost of solar plants. (1)
- Solar power cannot produce energy during storms, on cloudy days and nights. (1)
- Its use is limited in countries with low annual hours of sunshine. (1)
- Large areas of land required to capture the suns energy in order to generate significant amounts of power. (1)
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels:
- Advantages (3)
- Disadvantages (3)
Advantages:
- It is a renewable source. (1)
- Gives out less carbon emissions than fossil fuels when burned. (1)
- Reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. (1)
Disadvantages:
- Uses land that could be used to grow food (1)
- Needs a lot of labour to maintain. (1)
- Biofuels cannot be used in cars without modifying the engine. (1)
Define the term fossil fuels: (1)
Fuels consisting of hydrocarbons formed by the decomposition of prehistoric organisms in past geological periods. (1)
Define the term renewable energy: (1)
Sources of energy such as solar and wind power that are not depleted as they are used. (1)
Define the term energy mix: (1)
The relative contribution of different energy sources to a country’s energy consumption. (1)
