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GCSE Geography > Energy > Flashcards

Flashcards in Energy Deck (28)
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1
Q

Define Renewable Energy

A

Sources can be quickly replenished by themselves and can be used again and again. Sometimes called infinite energy

2
Q

Define Non-Renewable Energy

A

Energy that will run out

3
Q

Give 3 non-renewable energy sources

A

Oil Rigs
Nuclear power station
Coal

4
Q

Describe how nuclear power works and give the pros and cons

A

Electricity is generated from energy released when fission occurs.

Pros:

  • Small amount of material makes a lot of energy
  • No pollutants
  • Cheap raw materials

Cons:

  • Expensive to run
  • Nuclear waste is highly toxic
  • Leaking of radioactive material is devastating
5
Q

Describe how oilfields works and give the pros and cons

A

Are reciprocating pumps used in onshore oil fields to bring oil to the surface

Pros:

  • Oil produces large amounts of energy
  • Reliable
  • Easily available

Cons:

  • Gives of atmospheric pollutants
  • Limited supply
  • Oil spills are devastating
6
Q

What energy source is most commonly used in the UK

A

Natural Gas (38%)

7
Q

The UK is expected to use the same amount of energy today as it will in……….

A

2030

8
Q

…….Used to dominate the UK’s energy supply due to the large domestic resources available

A

Coal

9
Q

Give some reasons on why the energy balance has changed significantly over time

A

Changes in resource availability
Technological progress
Relative cost of different forms of energy
Consumer behaviour

10
Q

Give the pros of high energy consumption

A

Create jobs
Aberdeen (North-East Scotland) 2nd richest area in UK
Microgeneration

11
Q

Give the cons of high energy consumption

A

Visual pollution
Expensive
Greenhouse gasses
Air pollution

12
Q

The sun delivered enough………to the Earth each minuet to meet the global demand for a……

A

Energy

Year

13
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power

A

Advantages:

  • Low running costs
  • Generate electricity in remote places
  • No pollutants produced

Disadvantages:

  • Doesn’t work at night
  • Photovoltaic cells are very expensive
14
Q

How popular is Hydroelectric power

A

Very!!
90% total global output from renewable resources

Very efficient!

15
Q

Large scale hydroelectric plants produce…..times more energy during their lifespan than the energy needed to build and run them in the first place

A

200

16
Q

Give the advantages and disadvantages of Hydroelectric power

A

Advantages:

  • Low operating costs
  • No pollution or waste
  • Reliable technology
  • Constant electricity generated

Disadvantages:

  • Dams are expensive
  • Large scale flooding may cause environmental problems
  • Suitable sites are limited
17
Q

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Geothermal energy

A

Advantages:

  • No pollution
  • Low running costs

Disadvantages:

  • Location dependant
  • Sometimes dangerous gasses and minerals could emerge
18
Q

Britain is the………..place in Europe

A

Windiest

19
Q

What is the most cost effective method of electricity generation available

A

Wind

20
Q

Give the advantages and disadvantages of Wind power

A

Advantages:

  • Low running costs
  • No waste or pollution
  • Land can still be used for farming

Disadvantages:

  • No wind, no power
  • Some think they spoil the view
  • interfere with TV and Radar reception
21
Q

What are the advantages of Nuclear power

A

Saves lives - prevented 1.8 million deaths, ranks last in death per energy produced

Waste is stored, fossil fuels are released into he atmosphere

Reduces CO2 emissions - saved 64 giga tonnes of CO2 being released

Prevents Global Warming

New technology can save the problem with waste (Thorium). 1 ton of Thorium = 3.5 million tons of coal

22
Q

What are the disadvantages of nuclear power

A

Nuclear weapons also created

Plutonium takes ages to destroy

Accidents + disasters - japan she down all power stations for 4 years after disaster.

Nuclear is the most expensive source in Europe

23
Q

Give some major accidents that have occurred form Nuclear Power

A

1979, Pensilvania = Core melted + thousands killed

1986, Chernobyl = Radioactive cloud

Fukushima

24
Q

What is the future of Nuclear power

A

70 new reactors under construction

10% energy by nuclear

25
Q

What is fuelwood

A

Wood that is specifically used as fuel and is burnt
(Fire wood or Charcoal)

Developing countries = 90% of energy used

26
Q

What is the positive aspect of fuelwood

A

Domestic and traditional renewable resource that is locally available

27
Q

What is a negative aspect of fuelwood

A

In urban areas the majority of wood which is used is purchased and rising prices cause deforestation

28
Q

Why is fuelwood an important source of energy in LEDC’s

A

Because they don’t have all the new technologies and this is the most accessible and cheapest one for everyone to use.