Energy Resources

Question 1

What are the three main fossil fuels?

Answer 1

Coal, oil and natural gas

Question 2

Name a material that can be used to make bio-fuels

Answer 2

e.g plant products or animal dung

Question 3

How do fossil fuels impact the environment, other than through global warming?

Answer 3

e.g burning coal or oil releases sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain. Oil spillages can affect mammals and birds living in and around the sea.

Question 4

Give an advantage and a disadvantage of using nuclear power compared to fossil fuels

Answer 4

Nuclear power is more environmentally friendly, as unlike fossil fuels, it doesn’t directly emit sulfur dioxide or carbon dioxide. However, the nuclear waste produced is dangerous and difficult to dispose of. There’s also the risk of a major nuclear catastrophe

Question 5

Explain why bio-fuels are considered a fairly reliable energy resource

Answer 5

The crops used for bio-fuels take a relatively short time to grow, and different crops can be grown all year round. They can also be stored for when they are needed, so they provide a reliable energy resource

Question 6

Explain why fossil fuels are currently a reliable resource. Suggest why they may not be a reliable resource in the future

Answer 6

Fossil fuels are reliable at the moment because they can be extracted from the Earth at a fast enough rate that power plants always have fuel in stock to meet demand. However, they are slowly running out, so in the future they will be harder to obtain, and there will come a point when supply will not be able to meet demand