Physics P3

• The main ways in which we use the Earth's energy resources are:


  • generating electricity

  • heating

  • transport.
• define reliable energy


  energy sources that are always available
• non renewable energy source factors are...


  • not replaced as quickly as they are used

  • will eventually run out
• renewable energy source factors are...


  • can be replaced at the same rate as they are used

  • will not run out
• examples of non renewable energy sources are...


  coal, gas, oil
• examples of renewable energy sources are...

  solar, tidal, wave, wind, geothermal, biofuel
• main uses of coal, oil and gas


  generating electricity, transport, heating
• sources of coal, oil and gas


  extracted from underground
• Advantage of using coal


  Enough available to meet current energy demands
• Advantage of using oil


  Reliable - supply can be controlled to meet demand
• Advantage of using gas


  Relatively cheap to extract and use
• What is a major disadvantage of using coal, oil, and gas?


  They will eventually run out.
• How do coal, oil, and gas contribute to climate change?

  They release carbon dioxide when burned.
• What polluting gas is released by coal and oil, causing acid rain?


  Sulfur dioxide.
• What environmental impact do oil spills in the oceans have?


  They kill marine life.
• main uses of nuclear fission


  generating electricity
• sources of nuclear fission


  mining naturally occurring elements, such as uranium and plutonium
• Advantage of nuclear fission: No polluting gases or greenhouse gases produced


  No polluting gases or greenhouse gases are produced as byproducts of nuclear fission.
• Advantage of nuclear fission: Enough available to meet current energy demands


  Nuclear fission provides a sufficient amount of energy to meet the current energy demands of society.
• Advantage of nuclear fission: Large amount of energy transferred from a very small mass of fuel


  Nuclear fission is efficient in transferring a large amount of energy from a small mass of fuel.
• Advantage of nuclear fission: Reliable - supply can be controlled to meet demand


  Nuclear fission is reliable as the supply can be controlled to meet the energy demand effectively.
• What are some disadvantages of nuclear fission?


  Produces nuclear waste that is dangerous, difficult, and expensive to dispose of; stored for centuries before safe disposal.
• Why are nuclear power plants expensive?


  Expensive to build, run, and decommission (shut down).
• solar energy main uses

  generating electricity, heating
• sources of solar energy


  sunlight transfers energy to solar cells, sunlight transfers

  energy to solar heating panels
• advantages of solar energy

  can be used in remote places

  very cheap to run once installed

  no pollution/greenhouse gases produced
• Disadvantages of solar energy


  supply depends on weather

  expensive to buy and install

  cannot supply large scale demand
• main uses of hydroelectric energy


  generating electricity
• sources of hydroelectric energy


  water flowing downhill turns generators
• advantages of hydroelectric energy


  low running costs, no fuel costs, reliable and supply can be controlled to meet demand
• Why is hydroelectric energy considered expensive?


  Expensive to build hydroelectric dams
• What environmental impact is associated with hydroelectric dams?

  Flood a large area behind the dam, destroying habitats and resulting in greenhouse gas production from rotting vegetation
• main uses of tidal energy


  generating electricity
• sources of tidal energy


  turbines on tidal barrages turned by water as the tide comes in and out
• What is one advantage of tidal energy?


  Predictable supply due to constant tides
• What is another advantage of tidal energy?


  Ability to produce large amounts of electricity
• How does tidal energy benefit the environment?


  No fuel costs and no pollution/greenhouse gases produced
• How do tidal barrages impact marine habitats and animals?


  They change marine habitats and can harm animals.
• What risks do tidal barrages pose for boats?


  They restrict access and can be dangerous for boats.
• What are the cost-related disadvantages of tidal barrages?

  They are expensive to build and maintain, and the supply cannot be controlled.