component 3 (consuming energy resources) (paper 3)

Question 1

non renewable resources

Answer 1

Finite stock resources that will run out.

Coal, oil, gas (fossil fuels)

Question 2

renewable resources

Answer 2

Flow resources which do not run out.

Wind, HEP, Solar, tidal, wave, geothermal

Question 3

recyclable resources

Answer 3

Can be reused so will last into the future Biofuels (can be grown within a lifetime), nuclear (uranium can be reprocessed)

Question 4

how does access to technology affect access to energy sources

Answer 4

The economic development of a country can influence its ability to invest in and use new technologies and explore for and develop new resources

Question 5

how does geology affect access to energy resources

Answer 5

Fossil fuels – they are found in sedimentary rocks. Countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia and Iran have the greatest oil and gas reserves.

Coal is quite widely distributed. Geothermal energy – volcanic activity at plate boundaries produces magma that can be used to heat water or generate electricity.

Iceland and New Zealand use geothermal energy.

Question 6

how does accessibility affect access to energy resources

Answer 6

Remote areas can be difficult to access and to build infrastructure to so may not have access to electricity.

It takes high-technology in order to mine resources in mountainous areas.

Question 7

how does climate affect access to energy resources

Answer 7

HEP – Large volumes of water are needed to power hydroelectric dams so high volumes of rainfall are needed too. 80% of Brazil’s energy comes from hydroelectric dams.

Wind power – exposed areas have the highest wind speeds. The largest offshore windfarm in the UK is the London Array in the North Sea.

Solar power – places with longer hours of and more intense sunlight are best. The largest solar farm is located in the Mojave Desert in California, USA

Question 8

what is the global pattern of energy use

Answer 8

Developed countries consume 7 times as much energy per capita as emerging countries and more than 14 times as much as developing countries.

Technology is easily available in developed countries e.g. TVs and car ownership is higher increasing oil consumption. Emerging countries have a large secondary sector using coal power.

Question 9

what is the pattern in oil distribution

Answer 9

The Middle East has the largest oil reserves. They have an estimated 804 billion barrels of oil left, enough for 200 years of production.

Saudi Arabia, Russia and the USA are the three biggest producers.

Question 10

what is the pattern in oil consumption

Answer 10

70% of oil is used in transport, 19% is used in electricity production and heating, 4% is used to make plastics, 3% is used in to make tarmac. 4% used for products.

Oil consumption has increased due to a growing and wealthier global population.

Question 11

what are the factors affecting oil prices

Answer 11

Supply - the amount of oil produced

Demand - the amount oil of consumed

Global economic growth increases demand and therefore price of oil.

War/conflict in oil producing regions disrupts supply, oil prices spike.

Poor diplomatic relations between oil producing regions can lead to price wars. Oil price spikes caused by disruption to supply.

Discovery of new energy sources such as shale gas in the USA increase energy supply. Periods of economic recession, mean lower demand for goods and therefore oil.

Question 12

conventional oil in the Arctic

Answer 12

Economic benefits - New jobs for 800 workers, sold for profit.

Economic costs: - constructing the facility will cost $4 billion, damage from oil spills would be expensive to clean up.

Question 13

unconventional oil (the Tar Sands)

Answer 13

This is where bitumen in mixed with sand, it is expensive, uses a lot of water and causes deforestation.

The contamination of water sources leads to an increase in cancers.

Question 14

unconventional oil (Fracking)

Answer 14

Drilling down into shale rock deposits, injecting water, sand and chemicals into the rock at high pressure frees shale gas.

This can lead to contamination of water sources and minor earthquakes.

Question 15

benefits and costs of fossil fuels

Answer 15

B = Infrastructure is already in place, can be used for transport, reliable.

C = Produces greenhouse gases, will run out, some produce higher levels of pollution.

Question 16

benefits and costs of wind power

Answer 16

B = Produces no GHG, cheap for the consumer, offshore turbines generate a lot of electricity.

C = Takes up a lot of land and spoils the view, wind is unreliable.

Question 17

benefits and costs of solar energy

Answer 17

B = Creates jobs, requires little maintenance once set up, no greenhouse gas emissions.

C = Takes up land that could be used for crops.

Question 18

benefits and costs of HEP

Answer 18

B = Reliable source, dams and reservoirs are created which can help with water supplies.

C = Expensive to build and spoil the natural landscape, people often have to be moved, changes the river habitat.

Question 19

benefits and costs of biofuels

Answer 19

B = Fewer emission produced than with fossil fuels, could become cheaper than fossil fuels.

C = Takes up large quantities of water and land that could be used for growing crops.

Question 20

benefits and costs of hydrogen

Answer 20

B = Produces no greenhouse gases, made from water so more accessible, very efficient.

C = Lots of energy is needed to do this, difficult to store hydrogen safely.

Question 21

how do you structure a 16 marker

Answer 21

para 1 - which option have i chosen, and the advantages and why - use evidence from the figures and my own knowledge

para 2+3 - what options have i rejected and their disadvantages - use evidence from figures and own knowledge

conclusion - summarise the reasons for my decision