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Physics End of Year Test Pt.2 - Coggle Diagram
Physics End of Year Test Pt.2
Energy Resource Materials
What are renewable and non-renewable energy resources?
Renewable resources - energy resources that can be replenished. They do not run out although we are using them.
Non-renewable resources - energy resources that cannot be replenished. These resources will eventually run out because we are using them.
Wind, water, geothermal, solar and biomass are some types of renewable energy resources.
Nuclear fuel and fossil fuels are some types of non-renewable energy resources.
Wind
Wind is caused by the movement of air. The wind turns a wind turbine which generates the electricity.
Advantages of wind energy are: There are no fuel costs in running a wind turbine. Wind does not release any harmful gases.
Disadvantages of wind energy are: They make loud noises and won't please many locals. People think that they spoil the landscape. The amount of electricity generated is dependant on the weather.
Water
Tidal - Huge amounts of water move in and out of river mouths each day because of the tides. A tidal barrage is a barrier built across a river estuary. The barrage contains electricity generators, which are driven by the water rushing through tubes in the barrage.
Wave -The water in the sea rises and falls because of waves on the surface. Wave machines move with the waves to drive generators.
Water is an example of a renewable energy resource. Like wind, moving water can also be used to turn a turbine. The turbine can then turn a generator.
Advantages: There are no fuel costs. No harmful gases are released. Hydroelectric and tidal are reliable sources of power.
Disadvantages: Waves are not a reliable source of power. Waves are not consistent and a calm period means there are not waves to generate power .Building dams and tidal barrages can harm habitats and displace people from their homes.
Hydroelectric - Like tidal barrages, hydroelectric power stations use moving water. Water is held behind a dam built across a river.The water high up behind the dam has a lot of energy in the gravitational potential energy store. This is transferred to the kinetic energy store as the water rushes down through tubes inside the dam. The moving water turns a turbine that drive generators.
More Energy Resource Materials
Geothermal
Volcanic areas
In volcanic areas, energy is transferred by heating. Hot water and steam may rise naturally to the surface. Here the steam can be used to drive turbines and generators.
Several types of rock contain radioactive substances such as uranium. During nuclear or radioactive decay, energy in the nuclear store is transferred to the thermal store so the temperature of the rocks increase.
Hot Rocks
The water runs through cracks in the rocks and energy is transferred by heating. It returns to the surface as hot water and steam.
In some places, the rocks are hot, but no hot water or steam rises to the surface. In this case, deep wells can be drilled down to the hot rocks and cold water pumped down.
Geothermal energy resources are an example of renewable energy resources. Hot water and steam from deep underground can be used to turn a turbine which turns a generator to generate electricity.
Disadvantages: Big investment is needed to set up geothermal energy projects and some countries cannot afford these. Most parts of the world do not have suitable areas where geothermal energy resources can be easily exploited.
Advantages: Geothermal is a reliable energy resource. There are no fuel costs. No harmful polluting gases are produced.The hot water and steam can also be used for heating buildings directly.
Solar
Energy is transferred from the sun by radiation. It can generate electricity in solar cells. It can also warm water in solar panels.
In the Northern Hemisphere, solar cells or solar panels are positioned facing south on the roofs of buildings. In the Southern Hemisphere they are placed facing north.
Advantages of solar energy are: There are no fuel costs in running a wind turbine. Wind does not release any harmful gases.
Disadvantages of solar energy are: Solar energy panels are quite expensive and the amount of energy generated is dependant on the weather.
Biomass
Biomass is an energy resource from animal or plant material, for example wood or food waste. It is a renewable energy source. The biomass is burnt and this can be used to turn water into steam. The steam turns turbines. The turbines drives electrical generators.
Advantages: Biomass is a renewable energy resource. Growing more crops takes in carbon dioxide. This can offset what is given out during burning. This is called carbon neutral.
Disadvantages: Gases and smoke are released as the biomass fuel is burnt. Lots of land is needed for growing the fuel crop.
Non-Renewable Energy Sources
Nuclear Fuel
Energy in the nuclear store is transferred to energy in the thermal store through nuclear reactions. Energy is transferred by heating to boil water, turning it to steam. The steam then turns a turbine which then turns a generator.
Disadvantages: The nuclear fuel needed for nuclear power stations will run out. Nuclear fuel is a finite resource. This means that nuclear fuels are a non-renewable energy resource. Although a lot of research has been done on how to make nuclear power stations safe, if an accident occurs radioactive material may be released into the environment. This can cause cancers and therefore be hazardous to health.
Nuclear fuel is an example of a non-renewable energy resource. Nuclear power stations generate electricity using nuclear fuels, such as uranium and plutonium.
Advantages: Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear fuels are not burnt. They do not cause smoke or release harmful gases which contribute to global warming and climate change. Nuclear fuel has a high power output per kg of fuel. It is much higher than any of the fossil fuels. 1 kg of enriched uranium has the same power output as about 14,000 kg of coal.
Fossil Fuels
Coal, oil and natural gas are all fossil fuels. They are formed over millions of years from the remains of dead organisms.
Fossil fuel power stations generate electricity by burning fuel (coal, oil or natural gas). Energy transferred by heating causes water to boil, turning it into steam. The steam then turns a turbine which turns a generator.
Fossil fuels are an example of a non-renewable energy resource. Fossil fuels take a very long time to form so they are being used up faster than they can be replaced.
Advantages: Fossil fuels are a reliable resource. Fossil fuels have a large amount of energy in the chemical energy store per kilogram.
Disadvantages: Fossil fuels are finite and will therefore not last forever. Fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource. When burnt they release harmful gases. Smoke from burning coal or oil contains lots of fine particles. These can cause smog and result in breathing difficulties. Taking fossil fuels from the ground has a negative impact on the landscape and environment.