P3 - Energy Resources

Question 1

What is biofuel?

Answer 1

any fuel taken from living or recently living materials, such as animal waste

Question 2

What is geothermal energy?

Answer 2

energy released by radioactive substances deep within the Earth

Question 3

What is the national grid?

Answer 3

the network of cables and transformers used to transfer electricity from power stations to consumers (i.e., homes, shops, offices, factories etc.)

Question 4

What is nuclear fuel?

Answer 4

substance used in nuclear reactors that releases energy due to nuclear fission

Question 5

What is a nucleus?

Answer 5

tiny positively charged object composed of protons and neutrons at the centre of every atom

Question 6

What is a reactor core?

Answer 6

the thick steel vessel used to contain fuel rods, control rods and the moderator in a nuclear fission reactor

Question 7

What is renewable energy?

Answer 7

energy from natural sources that is always being replenished so it never runs out

Question 8

What is renewable energy?

Answer 8

energy from natural sources that is always being replenished so it never runs out

Question 9

What are some positive features of biofuels?

Answer 9

They are renewable and carbon neutral

Question 10

Give some examples of Biofuels

Answer 10

Methane, Ethanol, Rapeseed plants and Waste vegetable oil

Question 11

What elements are used as nuclear fuel?

Answer 11

Plutonium and Uranium

Question 12

How does nuclear fuel release energy?

Answer 12

the nucleus of the atom is unstable and can split in 2, this process releases energy. There are many nuclei in the reactor core so lots of energy is released

Question 13

What are some positives of nuclear energy?

Answer 13

it does not emit greenhouse gases

it produces 10,000 X the amount of energy per kg than fossil fuels (300,000MJ of energy per kg)

Question 14

What are some negatives of nuclear energy?

Answer 14

it produces nuclear waste which needs to be stored for many years.
An accident in a nuclear power plant can make the surrounding area unusable for many years.

Question 15

How is energy generated in a power station?

Answer 15

Water is heated to produce steam. The steam drives a turbine, which is coupled to an electrical generator that generates electricity

Question 16

How is energy generated from wind power?

Answer 16

The force of the wind drives the blades of the turbine, this turns a generator. The power generated increases as wind speed increases.

Question 17

What are some positives of Wind Power?

Answer 17

It is carbon neutral, It is renewable

Question 18

What are some negatives of Wind Power?

Answer 18

It is unreliable as wind speed can fluctuate

They can make lots of noise

Question 19

How does wave power generate electricity?

Answer 19

Waves make a floating generator move up and down, this motion turns a generator and generates electricity. This electricity is delivered to the shoreline via a cable.

Question 20

What are some positives of Wave Power?

Answer 20

They are carbon neutral, they are renewable

Question 21

What are some negatives of Wave Power?

Answer 21

They are an unreliable source of energy, they need lots of cables and buildings along the coast to connect to the electricity grid.
They can affect habitats

Question 22

How does hydroelectric power generate electricity?

Answer 22

Rainwater is collected in a reservoir at the top of a hill. When the water then flows back downhill it turns a turbine that then turns a generator, generating electricity.

Question 23

How does tidal power generate energy?

Answer 23

Water is trapped behind a barrage at high tide. The water is released back into the ocean through turbines. The turbines drive a generator which then generates electricity.

Question 24

What is a wind turbine?

Answer 24

An electricity generator at the top of a narrow tower, who’s turbine blades are turned by the wind.

Question 25

How is energy transferred from the sun to the earth?

Answer 25

As solar radiation

Question 26

What are positives of solar cells/panels?

Answer 26

They cost nothing to run, They are carbon neutral, They are renewable

Question 27

What are some negatives of solar cells/panels?

Answer 27

They cost a lot to buy, they are unreliable, only 10% of the energy they receive is converted into electricity

Question 28

How do solar heating cells heat water?

Answer 28

Energy from the sun heats water that flows directly through the panels

Question 29

What % of the energy solar cells absorb is converted into electricity

Answer 29

10%

Question 30

How does geothermal energy generate electricity?

Answer 30

Energy is released from radioactive substances deep within the earth. This energy heats the surrounding rocks. Deep holes are drilled and cold water is pumped down onto these hot rocks. The water is heated and returns to the surface as steam. This steam is then used to turn turbines.

Question 31

In how many years will gas and oil run out?

Answer 31

50

Question 32

What are some negatives of fossil fuels

Answer 32

They release greenhouse gases

They are not renewable.

Question 33

What fossil fuels release sulphur dioxide?

Answer 33

Coal and Oil

Question 34

What does sulphur dioxide cause?

Answer 34

Acid rain

Question 35

Is electricity demand higher in summer or winter?

Answer 35

winter

Question 36

What is the base load demand?

Answer 36

The constant amount of energy provided by coal and nuclear power stations

Question 37

What energy resources are used to meet variations in energy demand?

Answer 37

gas and hydroelectric storage stations

Question 38

Nuclear stations are expensive to ……………………….

Answer 38

build, run and decommission

Question 39

nuclear power stations are …… to start up

Answer 39

slow