Share Energy and the environment :Topics 2.1 and 2.2
Save to Folder
Name two similarities between the formation of coal and oil
both take 100s of millions of years, formed in anaerobic conditions, formed deep underground
state two differences between the formation of coal and oil
coal is formed from plants in swampy areas, oil is formed from marine plants and animals
State one reason fossil fuels are important
the are the main source of energy around the world, they are very energy dense fuels
Explain why the burning of fossil fuels is problematic
fossil fuels took 100s of millions of years to form but we are burning them in 100s of years, they produce CO2 which is causing the enhanced greenhouse effect
Name two types of non-renewable energy resources
fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and nuclear (uranium fuel)
Name two types of fuels that come from biomass
biofuels, wood, bioethanol (made from fermentation of corn)
State three types of renewable energy that involve water
hydroelectric, wave, tidal energy, geothermal
State one advantage and one disadvantage of wind power
cheap,
Why are fossil fuels problematic?
they cause environmental problems at every stage- from mining, to transportation to use
Explain why, with at least two examples, nuclear power is only used in some countries.
Expensive to build nuclear power plants, requires a highly skilled workforce, some countries have other abundant energy resources, anti-nuclear sentiment
Describe how hydroelectric power is produced
fast-running water drives turbines which power generators that produce electricity
What physical conditions are necessary to build an hydroelectric power plant?
fast-flowing water, high rainfall (best if uniform throughout the year), a narrow, deep-sided valley suitable to building a dam, or a natural water store (lake)
State two advantages to hydroelectric power
One of the cheapest ways to produce electricity, doesn't cause pollution
Describe three disadvantages of hydroelectric dams
large dams are expensive to build, the best places to build dams tend to be far from where people live, destroys forests and wildlife habitat, forced migration
Where are geothermal power plants located?
volcanic areas
How do geothermal power plants generate electricity?
holes are bored deep underground, cold water is pumped down to hot rocks, coverted to steam, pumped to the surface,turns the turbines which generate electricity
