energy resources

• What type of energy resources are fossil fuels?

  Non-renewable energy resources
• Name three types of fossil fuels.

  Crude oil, coal, natural gas
• How were fossil fuels formed?

  From the remains of dead plants and animals
• What is coal primarily formed from?

  Dead trees, ferns, and other plant material
• What are crude oil and natural gas formed from?

  Dead marine organisms such as plankton
• Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable?

  They are used up faster than they are replaced
• How long does it take for oil to form from plankton?

  About 150 million years
• Why is the oil we use not replaced within a human lifetime?

  It takes millions of years to form
• How can water be used to drive turbines?

  Through waves, tides, and falling water
• What is hydropower?

  Energy produced by moving water
• How do wave machines generate electricity?

  By using kinetic energy from wave movement
• What is a tidal barrage?

  A barrier built over a river estuary
• How does a tidal barrage generate electricity?

  By using water rushing through turbine blades
• What are the methods of using water for energy generation?

  • Waves
  • Tides
  • Falling water in hydroelectric power schemes
• What are the differences between wave energy and tidal energy generation?

  • Wave energy: Uses kinetic energy from surface waves
  • Tidal energy: Uses kinetic energy from tidal movements
• What is the primary source of energy for most devices?

  Electricity
• What distinguishes renewable energy resources from non-renewable ones?

  Renewable resources can be replenished
• What is an example of a renewable energy resource?

  Biofuel
• How are renewable resources replenished?

  By human action or natural processes
• What is a non-renewable energy resource?

  One that will eventually run out
• What is the impact of fossil fuels on the environment?

  They release CO₂ causing global warming
• What type of waste is produced by nuclear fuels?

  Radioactive waste
• What does 'carbon neutral' mean in relation to biofuels?

  Little or no effect on the environment
• What is the power output of wind energy?

  Very low
• What is a significant environmental impact of hydroelectricity?

  Local habitats are affected by flooding
• What type of energy store does geothermal energy use?

  Internal (thermal)
• What is a challenge associated with tidal energy?

  Hard to harness effectively
• What is the energy store for solar energy?

  Nuclear
• What limits the availability of solar energy?

  Dependent on weather and daylight
• What is the power output of water waves energy?

  Low
• What is the environmental impact of water waves energy?

  Very low
• What are the main features of different energy resources?

  • Fossil Fuels: Non-renewable, high CO₂ emissions
  • Nuclear Fuels: Non-renewable, produces radioactive waste
  • Biofuel: Renewable, carbon neutral but land use concerns
  • Wind: Renewable, low power output, landscape impact
  • Hydroelectricity: Renewable, medium power output, habitat flooding
  • Geothermal: Renewable, medium power output, very low impact
  • Tides: Renewable, potentially high output, hard to harness
  • Sun: Renewable, dependent on weather, very low impact
  • Water Waves: Renewable, low power output, very low impact
• How does the impact of fossil fuels compare to renewable resources?

  Fossil fuels release CO₂, renewables have less impact
• If a resource is described as 'finite', what does this mean?

  It has a limited number of uses
• What is the role of the water cycle in hydroelectric energy?

  It replenishes water used for electricity generation
• What is the primary use of biofuels?

  Transport, heating, electricity generation
• Why is wind energy considered renewable?

  It is replenished naturally by wind
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using biofuels?

  Advantages: carbon neutral; Disadvantages: land use