Energy resources
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Energy Resources Overview
- Electricity is generated using **non-renewable** or **renewable** resources.
- Non-renewable resources **cannot be replaced** once used; they will eventually run out.
- Renewable resources **will not run out** and are more sustainable.
Non-Renewable Resources
- The three **fossil fuels** are **oil**, **coal**, and **gas**.
- **Nuclear power** is also non-renewable.
- Fossil fuels are used in power plants, transport (petrol/diesel), and heating (gas, coal).
- Advantage: they provide a **reliable output**.
- Disadvantage: burning fossil fuels releases **CO₂** (a greenhouse gas) causing **global warming**.
- Burning coal and oil also produces **sulphur dioxide**, leading to **acid rain**.
- Nuclear power has no CO₂ or SO₂ emissions but produces **radioactive waste**, which is hard to dispose of safely.
Renewable Resources
- **Wind** power: no CO₂ emissions, cheap to run, but unreliable (not always windy), noisy, and spoils the view.
- **Hydro-electric** power: requires flooding a valley with a dam, causing habitat loss.
- **Solar** power: only works in direct sunlight, so no electricity at night.
Advantages of Renewables
- Renewables produce **no CO₂ emissions**, so they do not contribute to global warming.
- Once built, they have **no fuel costs** and are cheap to run.
- They help **reduce reliance on fossil fuels**, which can be subject to price rises and shortages (e.g., 2022 energy crisis).
Key Comparisons
- Non-renewables: reliable but polluting (fossil fuels) or produce radioactive waste (nuclear).
- Renewables: clean but often unreliable (wind, solar) or cause habitat loss (hydro).
Particle arrangement in solids, liquids, and gases (not directly related but useful for understanding energy transfer).
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Practice questions
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1.What is a non-renewable resource?
Easy- AA resource that can be replaced quickly after use
- BA resource that cannot be replaced once it has been used
- CA resource that is always available
- DA resource that does not produce pollution
2.Which of the following are the three fossil fuels?
Easy- AOil, coal, and gas
- BOil, wood, and gas
- CCoal, nuclear, and gas
- DOil, coal, and uranium
3.What is a renewable resource?
Easy- AA resource that cannot be replaced
- BA resource that will not run out
- CA resource that produces carbon dioxide
- DA resource that is only used for transport
4.Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?
Easy- ACoal
- BNatural gas
- CWind
- DNuclear fuel
5.Which is a disadvantage of burning fossil fuels?
Medium- AThey produce reliable output
- BThey increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
- CThey are cheap to run
- DThey produce no waste
6.Other than in power plants, fossil fuels can be used for:
Medium- AOnly heating
- BOnly transport
- CBoth transport and heating
- DNeither transport nor heating
7.What is a general advantage of using renewable energy resources?
Medium- AThey produce reliable output all the time
- BThey do not produce carbon dioxide emissions
- CThey are always cheap to build
- DThey do not require any fuel
8.In a hydroelectric power station, water is stored behind a dam. What energy store does the water have initially, and what store is it transferred to as it falls?
Hard- AKinetic to gravitational potential
- BGravitational potential to kinetic
- CChemical to kinetic
- DThermal to gravitational potential
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