P1 Energy 3

Question 1

What is a renewable energy source?

Answer 1

An energy source which can be replenished as it is being used up

Question 2

Give four examples of renewable energy resources.

Answer 2

1. Wind Energy
2. Hydro-Electricity
3. Tidal Energy
4. Solar energy

Question 3

Give an example of a non-renewable energy resource.

Answer 3

Fossil fuels ( for example coal , oil and gas).

Question 4

What are the advantages of generating power using gas rather than coal?

Answer 4

• Flexible Generation: Gas power stations have short start-up times so can be switched on/off more readily
• Lower emissions of carbon dioxide

Question 5

State two disadvantages of using renewable energy resources to generate power.

Answer 5

• Ouput often determined by external factors (like wind speed), so supply is uncertain
• Generating power through other means is often more efficient and economically beneficial

Question 6

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels.

Answer 6

• Carbon Dioxide contributes to the greenhouse effect , and causes global warming
• Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain , which can damage buildings and crops

Question 7

State three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy resource.

Answer 7

1. Reliable: Not dependant on external factors so can generate power anytime
2. Can produce large amounts of energy for a given quantitiy
3. Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

Question 8

State three advantages of nuclear power.

Answer 8

1. Very large amounts of energy for relatively small quantities of fuel
2. Doesn’t release greenhouse gases and so doesn’t contribute to climate change
3. Low fuel costs

Question 9

State three disadvantages of nuclear power.

Answer 9

1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
2. Non-Renewable energy source
3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal consequences on humans and the environment

Question 10

How does hydroelectric power produce energy ?

Answer 10

• Rainwater collects behind a dam
• When this water is released, it is used to turn a turbine
• This turbine turns a generator which produces electricity

Question 11

What are some disadvantages of using biofuels ?

Answer 11

• When plants are burned or decay they release carbon dioxide
• In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land which leads to problems because:
• The land could have been natural habitats
• Destroying land may involve burning plants growing on it, which would release CO2
• Growing biofuels reduces the land avallable for growing

Question 12

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 12

• They do not produce greenhouse gases
• They are quite reliable, as tides happen twice a day
• They are cheap to run as tides are natural, and so are free

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 13

• The dam may cause flooding
• It can cost a lot to install the required infrastructure

Question 14

What are some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 14

• They don’t cause harm to the environment
• They are a renewable resource
• They can be used in remote areas where other types of energy are less accessible

Question 15

Give examples of social factors which may act as a deterrent for certain types of energy production.

Answer 15

• Visual Pollution
• Sound Pollution
(both of these are disadvantages of wind farms)

Question 16

What are biofuels ?

Answer 16

fuels made from plant materials

Question 17

What is the eqaution for work done ?

Answer 17

Work done = force x distance