Generating Electricity

Question 1

Renewable energy sources

Answer 1

Wind
Solar
Biomass
Hydroelectric
Tidal

Question 2

Solar advantages

Answer 2

• no waste produced
• renewable

Question 3

Disadvantages of solar (3)

Answer 3

• low power output
• unreliable - dependant on weather
• unsightly

Question 4

Advantages of wind (2)

Answer 4

• renewable
• no waste or pollution

Question 5

Disadvantages of wind (3)

Answer 5

• unsightly
• low power output
• unreliable - dependant on weather

Question 6

Advantages of hydroelectric (3)

Answer 6

-no waste is produced
- short start up time
- reliable

Question 7

Disadvantages of hydroelectric

Answer 7

• not many suitable areas
• land has to be flooded - wildlife

Question 8

Tidal advantages (2)

Answer 8

• renewable
• no waste is produced

Question 9

Tidal disadvantages

Answer 9

• must flood a large area which affects wildlife

Question 10

Biomass advantages (3)

Answer 10

• Renewable
• reliable
• carbon neutral

Question 11

Biomass disadvantage

Answer 11

• Uses a lot of crops which require a lot of land to grow

Question 12

How do thermal power plants work (6)

Answer 12

1) coal is burned
2)water is boiled
3) steam turns the turbine
4) turbine turns the generator
5) generator creates electricity

Question 13

Non - renewable energy sources (4)

Answer 13

Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Nuclear

Question 14

Advantages of coal (3)

Answer 14

• inexpensive
• reliable
• there are huge global reserves

Question 15

Disadvantages of coal (3)

Answer 15

• non renewable
• greenhouse gases
• cause acid rain

Question 16

Oil advantages (2)

Answer 16

• reliable
• large power output

Question 17

What power stations have fast start up times

Answer 17

Natural gas and hydroelectric

Question 18

What power station has slow start up time

Answer 18

Nuclear

Question 19

Oil disadvantages (3)

Answer 19

• greenhouse gas emissions
• oil spills can be deadly to animals
• acid rain

Question 20

Natural gas advantages (2)

Answer 20

• reliable
• large power output

Question 21

Disadvantages of natural gas (3)

Answer 21

• greenhouse gas emmisions
• carbon monoxide produced - toxic
• highly flammable

Question 22

Advantages of nuclear (3)

Answer 22

• No greenhouse gases
• reliable fuel
• large power output

Question 23

Disadvantages of nuclear (3)

Answer 23

• radioactive waste
• expensive to decommission
• large scale accidents are destructive

Question 24

Efficiency equation

Answer 24

Useful output energy
——————. X100
Total energy input

Question 25

How do you draw a sankey diagram

Answer 25

1) the width of the main block on the left is the total input energy 2) the useful energy is the width of the small arrow to the right 3) the wasted energy is the width of the arrow pointing downwards

Question 26

Who supply’s electricity to the nation

Answer 26

The National Grid

Question 27

Base-load

Answer 27

The permanent minimum load that a supply system is required to deliver

Question 28

What is the national grids purpose

Answer 28

Electricity distribution network that monitors and responds to changes in demand.

Question 29

How do the national grid make electricity supply reliable (2)

Answer 29

-They buy electricity from other countries (France) when demand spikes -Hydroelectric power stations on standby that have fast start up times

Question 30

How does energy travel from the power station to your home

Answer 30

1. Power station 2. Step up transformer 3. Cables and pylons 4. Step down transformer 5. Houses

Question 31

Power station

Answer 31

Generates electricity

Question 32

Step up transformer

Answer 32

Increases the voltage and lowers the current

Question 33

Step down transformer

Answer 33

Decreases the voltage and increases the current

Question 34

When would electricity demand be high

Answer 34

On a cold, snowy day

Question 35

When would electricity demand be low

Answer 35

Summer at 1:00-4:00 am

Question 36

Why is a step up transformer used

Answer 36

Reduces energy losses in transmission lines through heat, making distribution more efficient.

Question 37

Why is a step-down transformer used

Answer 37

Reduce voltage to make it safer for consumers

Question 38

Equation for power using current + voltage

Answer 38

P = VI

Question 39

Most efficient power plant

Answer 39

Hydroelectric

Question 40

Least efficient power plant

Answer 40

Thermal (e.g, coal)