Physics P3

Cards (60)

  • 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.