Energy Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is energy
The ability to do work or to move something
What the SI unit of energy
Joules (j)
What does the principal of conservation of energy state
That energy can neither be created nor destroyed but that it can change from one form to another
Name examples of stored energy
Potential energy - height or shape
Chemical energy - fuel or a battery
Nuclear energy
Name examples of energy in action
Kinetic energy - moving objects
Heat, light, sound, magnetic and electrical energy
Name some non-renewable energy
Fossil fuels Coal Oil Gas Peat
Name some renewable sources of energy
Will never be used up Solar Hydroelectric Wind Tidal wave Biomass Geothermal
What is biomass
Chemical energy stored in fast growing plants like trees and oil seed rape.
E.g. Methane
What is geothermal energy
Comes from beneath the surface of the earth. Due to radioactive material heating the rocks far below the surface
What’s nuclear energy
Energy released from the nuclei of atoms
What is nuclear fission
A process used in nuclear power stations in which the nuclei of large atoms are split. Enormous energy is released
Where does nuclear fusion occur
In the sun
Light atoms combine to produce enormous amounts of energy
When does an energy conservation take place
When energy changes from one form to another. This is usually done to produce a more useful form of energy
Name the original source of fossil fuels, oil, gas, turf, and peat
And two advantages and disadvantages
Sun Advantages 1) electricity supply is guaranteed 2) cheap Disadvantages 1) limited supply of fuel available 2) will get much dearer as fuel supplies dwindle
Name the original source of wind energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Sun
Advantages
1) never run out
2) no pollution
Disadvantages
1) some people think wind turbines are an ugly site and make noise
2) the wind supply is variable and unreliable, windy sites are essential
Name the original source of solar energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Sun Advantages 1)no pollution 2) never run out Disadvantages 1) initial costs can be very high 2) spread over a wide area and is difficult to collect
Name the original source of hydroelectric energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Sun Advantages 1) never run out 2) no pollution Disadvantages 1) initial costs are very high 2) only a small number of suitable sites
Name the original source of wave energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Sun Advantages 1) supply will never run out 2) no pollution Disadvantages 1) can vary with the winds 2) people don't like the turbines
Name the original source of tidal energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Moon and sun
Advantages
1) very reliable and supply will never run out
2) no pollution
Disadvantages
1) damages habitats of birds and other creature that live in river estuaries
2)electricity is generated only at certain times during the day
Name the original source of biomass energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Sun
Advantages
1) supply will be secure and will never run out
2) reduction in greenhouse gas emission
Disadvantages
1) large areas of land are needed to produce enough biomass
2) can cause pollution
Name the original source of geothermal energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Earth Advantages 1) no pollution 2) free supply Disadvantages 1) limited number of suitable sites 2) expensive to drill so deep into the earth
Name the original source of nuclear energy
And two advantages and disadvantages
Nuclei in atoms
Advantages
1) huge energy from small amount of fuel
2) produces no acidic gases or carbon dioxide
Disadvantages
1) fission is non-renewable, the uranium or plutonium will not run out
2) radioactive waste is difficult to store safely
