What are Non-Renewables Sources? Why are they a Problem? | -These are Sources of Energy that are Limited
-They Impact the Environment in a Negative Way
-Non-Renewables Sources Examples may be the Fossil Fuels, [Coal, Oil and Gas] Nuclear Fuels [Uranium and Plutonium] and Peat |
How does a Power Station make Electricity? | -When the Fossil Fuels Burns, with Oxygen, Energy Transfers take Place
-Chemical Energy Store of the Fossil Fuel is Transferred to the Thermal Energy Store of the Water, which will make it Boil
-This creates Steam, which then Turns a Turbine - Energy is Transferred to the Kinetic Energy Store of said Turbine
-As the Turbine Spins, so does the Generator [Like an Alternator]
-Generator takes the Energy away Electrically to the National Grid |
How does a Nuclear Reactor make Electricity? | -Nuclear Fission can be Used to make Lots of Electricity, as it gives off Lots of Energy
-This Energy is Transferred to the Thermal Energy Store of the Water - It Boils
-Said Steam will then turn a Turbine, which will then turn a Generator to make Electricity that is Carried Away. |
What Problems do Non-Renewables Sources have? | -All the Fossil Fuels release CO₂, a Major Greenhouse Gas
-Coal and Oil release Sulphur Dioxide, which will create Acid Rain [You can however Take the Sulphur out before Usage of Coal/Oil]
-Mining for Coal will really Mess up the Landscape - 'Open-Cast'
-Nuclear Waste is a Pain to Deal With, in terms of Health and Disposal. This, and with the Construction and Decommission of the Plant is Expensive
-Nuclear Power also has the Potential for Chernobyl, or Fukushima. |
What is a Renewable Energy Source? | -This is simply a Source that just Won't Run Out
-They can Impact the Environment, though not in the Scale as Non-Renewables
-They make Less Energy than Non-Renewable, and can be Unreliable. |
How can Biofuels be used to make Electricity? | -Bio-Fuels can be Anything made [Farm Waste -> Animal Droppings -> Landfill Rubbish -> Specially Grown Crops
-When they are Burnt, it can make Electricity. Simple |
Why are Bio-Fuels used for Generating Electricity, is there any Cons and Pros? | P: Its a Renewable Source, its Unlimited
P: They are Carbon Neutral, It needs to have the Same Rate Growing of Plants and Trees to Burning Plant Materials
P: Its Reliable, as the Crops can grow Quickly
C: Its not very Flexible to Energy Demands, as Crops take Time
C: Its Expensive and also Bio-Fuels may use up Resources, Food and Water
C: Deforestation may also Occur in order to grow Bio-Fuels, which means its Indirectly Impacting the Environment |
How can Wind Power be used to make Electricity? | -Every Wind Turbine has a Generator, which will Spin because the Blades are also Spinning due to the Wind |
Pros and Cons of Wind Power? | P: Pollution is Non-Existent [Little amount for Manufactured]
C: They can Spoil the View, Visual Pollution, and also be Noisy, Noise Pollution. This can Disrupt the local Biodiversity and People
C: Only works if its Windy. Its not really Flexible to High Demand |
How can Solar Cells be used to make Electricity | -Solar Cells are made from a Type of Material that is able to Release Electrons when the Light has Fallen on Them [Absorption]
-This will therefore make an Electric Current - Electricity |
Pros and Cons of Solar Power? | -P: Can be Used when the Choice is Little, like the Outback in Australia
P: No Pollution [They do need Lots of Energy to Make]
P: It can be Used in a very Wide Range of the World, from very Sunny Places to Cloudy Places, like the UK
C: Its not 24/7, as the Night Exists
C: Can't really Respond to High Demand, its Dependent on how much Sun there is |
How can Hydro-Electricity make Electricity? | -Hydro-Electricity usually needs a Big Dam
-Water is Stored Behind it [Reservoir] and then Released, which will pass through Turbines which will Spin the Generator... |
Pros and Cons of Hydro-Electricity? | C: Environment is Affected due to the Valley Flooding
P: HE can Respond to High Energy Demands, as More Water can Released making more Electricity
C & P: Making HE is Expensive, Running it is Cheap and Reliable |
How can Tidal Barrages make Electricity? | -TB need Dams to be Built across the Estuary of the River, which has Turbines
-As the Tide comes IN, the Estuary is filled Up.
-Water can be Let Out through the Turbines which Spin the Generator making Electricity |
Pros and Cons for Tidal Barrages? | P: No Pollution
C: Visual Pollution, Boat Access and the Habitat may be Altered
P & C: TB are usually Reliable, however it may not work if the Water Level is the Same Both Sides, and the Height isn't always Guaranteed
C: Not all Estuaries can be used to make a TB |
Why, in the 20th Century was UK using More and More Electricity? | -Population of the UK Rapidly Increased
-More and More things was beginning to be Invented that needed Electricity |
What is Happening to the UK in the 21st Century in terms of Energy Usage and Sources? | -Time and Money is Pouring into Renewable Energy Sources, however the Progress is Slow
-Fossil Fuels is still being Used to make Electricity, as because it makes More than Renewable Energy Sources. Its also more Reliable as Renewables usually need the Weather and Environments to Match
-The Electrical Usage is also Declining, as more Appliances are being more Efficient and that People are being Educated on Dangers
-Fossil Fuels isn't just used to Make Electricity, its also used to Fuel Cars, and Heat up Homes and Food
-Nuclear Power is also another Option, but its Cons are very Distracting |