P3-Sustainable Energy

What does a Sankey diagram show?

They are energy transformation diagrams which show how much of the input energy is being usefully employed and how much is being wasted

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List ways energy can be saved at home and at work

Home: installing double glazed windows reduces heat lost, energy saving light bulbs, washing clothes at lower temperatures. Work: electrical being switched off when not in use, not printing/photocopying unnecessary things

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How can the government help the public to save energy?

By offering grants for better home insulation, improving public transport, improving recycling services, making laws to ensure homes and business are energy efficient

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Is electricity a primary or secondary source and why?

Electricity is a secondary source because it is produced using other energy sources (e.g. coal)

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Name 4 renewable energy sources

Wind, waves, solar and hydroelectric

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Describe the basic features of a thermal power station

1) Energy is released by the fuel (-cause by burning in a boiler) and used to generate steam.2)Steam turns turbine.3)The movement of the turbine is converted into electricity by a generator

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Name 2 sources of energy that power turbines directly without the use of steam

Hydroelectric and wind

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List 4 disadvantages of using fossil fuels as an energy source

Burning fossil fuels release carbon dioxide- global warming, burning coal and oil releases sulphur dioxide-cause acid rain-harm tress and soils, Open coal mining leaves mess of the landscape, oil spillages cause serious environmental problems

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Why do we still use fossil fuels for energy if they have many negatives?

Because they produce a lot of energy, quite cheap, don’t rely on the weather, already have lots of fossil fuel power stations so no need for new technology

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Describe the basic features of a nuclear power station

1)Energy is released from the nuclear fuel (uranium) by nuclear fission(atoms in the nuclear fuel splitting in two2)heat energy heats water to make steam3)steam turns turbine. 4) movement of the turbine is converted into electricity by generator

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List 3 advantages of using nuclear power

1)Nuclear reaction release a lot more energy than chemical reactions. 2)doesn’t produce co2 when making electricity. 3)nuclear fuel is relatively cheap

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List 3 disadvantages of using nuclear power

1)produces radioactive waste-dangerous as emits ionising radiation. 2)takes longest time of all power stations to set up-high cost.3)needs extra safety precautions

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Explain the difference between irradiation and contamination

Irradiation-when exposed to radiation without being in contact with source. Damage to body stops as soon as you leave radioactive waste area. Contamination-picking up some radioactive waste-leaves you exposed to ionising radiation for long time

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Describe the process of generating electricity

1) Rain water is caught and stored using a big dam. 2) Gravity causes the water to rush through the turbines as it is below the dam. 3) A generator converts the movement of the turbines (kinetic energy) into electricity

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Describe two disadvantages of using hydroelectricity

1)Rotting vegetation releases methane and co2 (greenhouse gases). 2) Some species lose their habitat

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Why can’t we carry on using fossil fuels forever?

Because our supply of fossil fuels will run out within 50 years or so

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Explain why we can’t easily replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources

Because renewable sources struggle to produce the same sort of energy output as conventional power stations and some are quite variable e.g. it’s not always sunny or windy

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List five things that need to considered when choosing an energy source for a power station

Running cost, set up costs, waste and air pollution, noise pollution, disruption to habitats

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Explain why renewable sources aren’t necessarily cheap

Because renewable resources often need bigger power stations than non renewable for the same output and so it is more expensive. Also, the equipment needed for the power stations need lots of engineering which increases the cost

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Explain how kinetic energy is magically transformed to electricity in a generator

In a generator a magnet rotates in a coil of wire. As the magnet turns, the magnetic field through the coil changes which creates a voltage, which makes a current flow in the coil- the process of electromagnetic induction

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What is the National Grid?

A network of pylons and cables that take electrical energy from power stations to where it is needed in homes and industries in Britain

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What voltage is the mains supply voltage to our homes?

230V

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P3-Sustainable Energy

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