Topic 3 Energy Resources Flashcards
(66 cards)
What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy?
Renewable energy can be replenished naturally, while non-renewable energy comes from finite resources like fossil fuels.
What is solar energy?
Solar energy is energy harnessed from the sun, using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems.
What is wind energy?
Wind energy is the energy captured from moving air to generate electricity using wind turbines.
How does hydroelectric power work?
Hydroelectric power uses the potential energy of water stored in a reservoir to generate electricity as it falls, driving turbines.
What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy comes from the Earth’s internal heat, which can be harnessed for electricity generation or heating.
What is tidal energy?
Tidal energy is generated from the rise and fall of sea levels due to gravitational forces, used to turn turbines.
What is biomass energy?
Biomass energy comes from organic materials like plants and waste, which can be burned or converted into biofuels to generate energy.
What are the advantages of renewable energy?
Renewable energy is sustainable, produces little to no greenhouse gases, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
What are the disadvantages of renewable energy?
Renewable energy sources can be intermittent, expensive to set up, and may require large land areas.
What are the environmental impacts of fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide and pollutants that contribute to climate change, air pollution, and environmental degradation.
What is nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy comes from splitting atoms in nuclear reactors, releasing large amounts of heat used to generate electricity.
What are the environmental concerns with nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste and carries the risk of nuclear accidents.
What are the benefits of hydroelectric power?
Hydroelectric power is reliable, renewable, and can be used for large-scale electricity generation.
What are the limitations of solar energy?
Solar energy is intermittent, requiring sunny conditions, and can be expensive to install.
How does wind energy affect local ecosystems?
Wind turbines can affect bird and bat populations, and their large presence can alter local landscapes.
What is the efficiency of a typical coal-fired power station?
Coal-fired power stations are relatively inefficient, converting only about 30-40% of the energy from coal into electricity.
How do wind turbines work?
Wind turbines use the kinetic energy from wind to rotate blades, which then turn a generator to produce electricity.
What is the future potential of tidal energy?
Tidal energy has great potential for large-scale energy generation but is limited by location and infrastructure costs.
What is the difference between a photovoltaic cell and a solar thermal system?
Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight directly into electricity, while solar thermal systems use sunlight to heat water or air.
How does biomass energy contribute to carbon emissions?
Biomass energy releases carbon dioxide when burned, but the plants used for biomass absorb CO2, making it potentially carbon-neutral.
What are the limitations of geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is location-specific, and geothermal plants can be expensive to set up.
What is the main environmental impact of nuclear energy?
The primary concern is the disposal of radioactive waste and the risk of accidents at nuclear power plants.
How is electricity generated from biomass?
Biomass can be burned directly to generate heat, which is then used to produce electricity through steam turbines.
What are the potential benefits of hydrogen fuel cells?
Hydrogen fuel cells produce clean energy, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct, making them environmentally friendly.
