Chapter 3 - Energy Resources

Question 1

Define the term biofuel.

Answer 1

A fuel taken from recently living organisms.

Question 2

Explain how a biofuel is renewable and carbon-neutral.

Answer 2

Renewable - It’s biological source regrows OR continually produced.
Carbon Neutral - Carbon that the living organism intakes is released when the biofuel is used, thus being balanced.

Question 3

Give 4 examples of power from wind and water.

Answer 3

Wind power
Wave power
Hydroelectric power
Tidal power

Question 4

Give 2 examples of power from the Sun and the Earth.

Answer 4

Solar power

Geothermal power

Question 5

Where does geothermal energy come from?

Answer 5

It is released by radioactive substances in the Earth.

Question 6

Define renewable.

Answer 6

Energy that is always replenished and never runs out.

Question 7

Define non-renewable.

Answer 7

Energy which cannot be replenished.

Question 8

Give 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of using nuclear power.

Answer 8

Advantages:

• No greenhouse gases.
• More energy transferred per kilo.

Disadvantages:

• Used fuel rods are radioactive.
• A nuclear reactor exploding could be fatal.

Question 9

Give 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages of the use of renewable energy.

Answer 9

Advantages:

• They never run out.
• No greenhouse gases/acid rain.
• Good backup source of electricity.

Disadvantages:

• Not able to meet world demand.
• Most sources are unreliable.
• Most renewable energy sources are unsightly/eyesore.

Question 10

Give 3 ways in which the variable demand for electricity is met.

Answer 10

• Nuclear and coal-fired power stations (Base load).
• Gas powered and pump storage to meet daily variation.
• Renewable energy sources to provide extra energy when demand is high.

Question 11

Describe how a fuel can be carbon - neutral.

Answer 11

A fuel is carbon - neutral if the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere balances with the amount taken in by the organism.