P3 - Sustainable Energy

Question 1

Primary energy source

Answer 1

An energy source which is used in the form that it is found

Question 2

Name as many primary energy sources you can:

Answer 2

• Fossil Fuels: coal, oil and gas
• Nuclear fuel: Uranium, Plutonium etc.
• Biofuels
• Wind, Waves and Sunlight

Question 3

Secondary Energy Sources

Answer 3

Energy sources made from primary energy sources for example, electricity

Question 4

Global warming

Answer 4

An increase in the temperature of the earth’s surface

Question 5

Power

Answer 5

The amount of energy transferred in one second

Question 6

What is the equation for energy transfer?

Answer 6

Energy transferred (kWh) = Power (kW) x Time (H)

Question 7

Current

Answer 7

The flow of electricity in a circuit

Question 8

What is the unit used to measure current?

Answer 8

Amperes (A)

Question 9

What unit is the voltage measured it?

Answer 9

Volts (V)

Question 10

What is the equation for power?

Answer 10

Electrical Power (W) = Current (A) x Voltage (V)

Question 11

What is the equation for current?

Answer 11

Current (A) = Power (W) / Voltage (V)

Question 12

Efficiency

Answer 12

The proportion of electricity a component transfers into a useful form

Question 13

What is the efficiency equation?

Answer 13

Efficiency = Energy usefully transferred / Total energy supplied

Question 14

As a person you can use less electricity by: 4 ways…

Answer 14

• Using high efficiency A-rated appliances
• Turning off components when they aren’t needed
• Not boiling more water than is needed
• Cooking food in a microwave oven

Question 15

How can we as a nation use less energy? 3 ways…

Answer 15

By:
•Using more efficient cars
•Living in houses with better insulation
•Building more efficient power stations and improving the output of old power stations

Question 16

How can we as humans reduce our impact on the environment?

Answer 16

By: recycling resources such as metals, glass and plastics and by generating electricity from renewable sources of energy

Question 17

How is electricity made?

Answer 17

When a magnet is moved near a circuit and electrical current starts to flow in the circuit as a result

Question 17

What are the steps used to make electricity in a coal-fire power station?

Answer 17

1. Coal burnt in a furnace
2. Water heated to produce steam
3. Jets of steam turn a turbine
4. Turbine spins the generator
5. Electricity produced by generator

Question 18

Irradiation

Answer 18

When an object is placed in the path of radiation

Question 19

Contamination

Answer 19

When an object gets mixed up with radioactive material

Question 20

Why is contamination more dangerous that irradiation?

Answer 20

• It can result in a longer exposure to radiation
• It is difficult to remove the radioactive material
• It is difficult to stop the radioactive material from spreading through the environment

Question 21

Renewable energy sources

Answer 21

Energy sources which can be used over and over and never run out

Question 22

Name 4 renewable energy sources

Answer 22

Hydroelectric, wind turbines, solar power and wave technology

Question 23

What are the advantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 23

• Produces lots of energy
• Can be turned on and off quickly
• Can pump water back behind the dam to store energy

Question 24

Disadvantages of hydroelectric?

Answer 24

* They flood large areas of land * Rotting plants in the water create methane gas * Expensive

Question 25

Advantages of wind turbines

Answer 25

* Inexpensive | * They require very little maintenance

Question 26

Disadvantages of wind turbines

Answer 26

* The need to be placed in windy conditions | * They can only generate electricity in certain wind conditions

Question 27

The National Grid

Answer 27

A network of cables which carries electricity throughout the UK

Question 28

Which energy sources produce large amounts of energy?

Answer 28

Fossil fuels, nuclear power, hydroelectric and biofuels

Question 29

Which energy sources do not produce greenhouse gases?

Answer 29

Nuclear power, wind, waves, solar and geothermal

Question 30

What are the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels, nuclear power, wind farms and hydroelectric?

Answer 30

* Fossil fuels produce greenhouse gases * Nuclear power creates radioactive waste * Wind Farms cause noise and visual pollution * Hydroelectric dams flood large areas

Question 31

What 6 things should someone consider when choosing an energy source?

Answer 31

* Environmental impact * Cost of building and running the power station * How much CO2 and other waste in creates * Reliability of the energy source * Cost of using the energy source * Efficiency of transfer of energy to electricity

Question 32

What is the power output of a power station measured in?

Answer 32

Millions of watts or megawatts (MW)

Question 33

What's the output and lifetime of a nuclear or fossil fuel power station?

Answer 33

1000MW and a lifetime of 40 years

Question 34

What's the output and lifetime of a wind farm power station?

Answer 34

300MW and a lifetime of about 20 years

Question 35

What's the output and lifetime of a hydroelectric power station?

Answer 35

10,000 MW and a lifetime of about 80 years

Question 36

Why will global demand for electricity probably rise in the future?

Answer 36

* The population will grow (especially in developing countries) * Many developing countries want the high-energy lifestyle of industrialised countries