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Physics Mock Exam (Developing the Model of the Atom' (The original…

- - - - Energy is mainly used for transport. It is one of the most obvious uses for the energy we use and there are a few non-renewable;e and also renewable ways to get the fuel thats needed.
      - Non-renewable energy resources Petrol and diesel which power most vehicles, these are created from crude oil. Coal can be used in old fashioned steam trains to boil water, however, these are mainly used in shows or brought out in special events.
      - Renewable sources Some vehicles can run on pure bio-fuel or a mix of this and petrol. This is only in recent years that the push has led to developments needed to make vehicles eco-friendly.
    - - Non Renewable These include fossil fuels and nuclear fuel (uranium and plutonium). Fossil fuels are a natural resource formed underground millions of years ago. These are typically burnt and consist of 3 main fuels
        1) Coal
        2)Oil
        3) (Natural) Gas
        These will one day RUN OUT they also damage the environment but provide most of our energy
      - Renewable Energy Resources These include: The sun (solar)
        Wind
        Water Waves
        Hydro-electricity
        Bio-fuel
        Tides
        Geothermal
        These will never run out as the energy can be renewed as it is used. Most of them do still damage the environment, however the effects are much more tame. They don't provide much energy when compared to the scale of the non-renewable, and can be unreliable as they rely on weather.
      - Specific detail
        
        WIND
        This involves placing lots of turbines in places such as moores or coasts as they are exposed to the wind there. They contain a generator that powers the blades, which in turn, turns it and produces the electricity. There is no pollution (except when they are made) however, many complain of noise levels and how they distract from the view. This is because 1500 turbines are needed to cover the energy of just one coal power plant,The turbines also do not produce any energy when the wind is not blowing, leaving it to random chance. They also don’t work when the wind is too powerful, it's almost impossible to increase supply when on these days the demand is so high.On average they only work 70-75% of the time.
        The initial cost can be quite high, however there is no fuel and minimal running costs, saving money in the long run. The turbines can be removed so there is never any permanent damage,
        
        SOLAR CELLS/PANELS
        Solar panels generate current from the sunlight. They are often the best source of energy to charge batteries in calculators and watches which don't use much energy. Solar power is often used in remote places where there's not much choice and to power satellites and road signs. There is no pollution (but a lot of energy required to make them). In sunny countries it is a very reliable source of energy, but only in the day time. It can still be cost effective in cloudy countries in britain though. Like wind the power input cannot be changed when the demand is higher as again it relies solely on the weather. They usually generate energy on a small scale and have a high initial cost but are practically cost free after that.
        
        GEOTHERMAL POWER
        This is possible in volcanic areas or where hot rocks lie near to the surface. The source of much of the energy is the slow decay of radioactive elements, including the ones that supply nuclear power plants. It can be used to generate electricity or to heat building directly. It's a free source of energy that's reliable and does very little damage to the environment.
        The drawback comes from the fact that suitable locations for the power plants are hard to find, and are often times more expensive to build then the energy generated.
        
        HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER
        This typically requires the flooding of a vast valley by building a dam. Water is allowed out through turbines and so there is no pollution. But there is a big impact on the environment due to the flooding of the valley, destroying and rotting anything in its path, it also releases co2 and methane. There can also be a loss of habitat which causes anew problem entirely. They can also be an unsightly thing to behold when they dry out; hence they are usually placed in remote areas so the impact on humans is minimal. A big advantage is that it can provide an immediate response for the increased demand of electricity. But droughts can affect the 99% reliability.It can be very useful on generating energy for smaller areas and scales.
        
        WATER POWER
        These work by having lots of turbines (that work like the wind counterpart) near the coast.
        There is no pollution however they disturb the seabed and the habitats of sea-life that may be there. They also spoil the view and create a danger for boats.
        They are fairly reliable since waves tend to die out when wind levels drop.
        Initial cost are very high, but there is no fuel costs. It may never provide energy on a large scale though. But it's very useful on a smaller scale.
        
        TIDAL BARRAGES
        
        Tides are used in many ways to generate electricity. This is the most common method. Tidal barrages are like big dams that have been built across rivers with turbines in them. As the tide comes in it fills up the estuary. This water is then allowed out through turbines at a controlled speed. Tides are produced by the gravitational pull of the sun and moon. There is no pollution. However they prevent access for boats, spoil the view and alter the habitats. The tides are reliable in the sense that they happen twice a day without fails. The drawback comes from the height of the wave, which determines the amount of energy produced. The water level must also be varied on either side of the barrage., which happens 4 times a day. The cost initially is moderately high, but there is again no fuel cost and minimal running cost. It can also produce energy on a significant level.
        
        How power plants work
        
        Nuclear
        
        The main sources of fuel for theses stations are plutonium and uranium . In the stations they undergo controlled chain reactions, to produce nuclear heat energy.
        
        1)Fuel produces heat, which is used to boil water to make steam.
        2)Steam spins a turbine.
        3)Turbine drives a generator and the generator makes electricity.
        4)Electricity goes to the transformers to produce the correct voltage.
        The difference between this and fossil fuel stations is how the water is heated. Nuclear stations use fission of the uranium nuclei. This process is called Nuclear Fission
        
        Nuclear Fission For the energy that is produced, nuclear waste is also produced, producing a huge environmental risk.
        The fission of uranium will set up a chain reaction that will continue to produce energy, so long as uranium is present. If this reaction gets out of hand, it leads to a nuclear explosion.
        For the fission to happen, a neutron must hit nuclei, when this happens 3 happen
        The nucleus splits into smaller nuclei
        Energy is released
        Two or three neutrons are released.
        The chain reaction happens because each uranium nucleus that splits gives off more than one neutron. These cause more and more uranium nuclei to split.
        The plants and reactors are designed to monitor and allow it happen. Moveable control rods are placed between the rods of nuclear fuel. These control rods absorb some of the neutrons preventing anything from getting out of control. They can also be adjusted to allow the chain reaction to continue.
        
        Fusion for power stations
        Just like nuclear fission, nuclear fusion releases heat energy. However, in nuclear fusion:
        two nuclei must join together (rather than uranium nuclei splitting, as in fission)
        extremely high temperatures are needed.
        
        Cold fusion
        A group of scientists have claimed that they have achieved ‘cold fusion’ – nuclear fusion at ordinary temperatures and pressures.
        The only problem is there is problem validating any kind of results.
    - - Non-renewable energy resources Natural gas is the most widely used fuel. This gas is used to heat water in things such as radiators.
        Coal can be commonly used in fireplaces
        Electric heaters which use electricity generated through non-renewable mans
      - Renewable energy resources A geothermal heat pump uses geothermal energy to heat buildings.
        Solar water heaters work by using the sun to heat the water, a cheaper and cleaner alternative to using a straight radiators as it fuels them.
        Burning bio-fuel or using electricity generated by renewable means to power your house- such as solar panels or wind turbines.