Renewable and non-renewable resources, what each is used for, their reliability and environmental impact, and why the balance is changing.
You can study this deck without signing up — your progress is kept in this browser. An account saves it properly, syncs it across devices, and lets you edit the cards.
1.What is a renewable energy resource?
One that is being replenished as it is used, so it will not run out.
2.What is a non-renewable energy resource?
One that is being used faster than it can be replaced, so it will eventually run out.
3.Name the three fossil fuels.
Coal, oil and natural gas.
4.Name the renewable resources on the specification.
Biofuel, wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves.
5.Which resources are non-renewable?
The three fossil fuels and nuclear fuel.
6.Give the main uses of energy resources.
Transport, electricity generation and heating.
7.What is the main environmental problem with fossil fuels?
Burning them releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
8.What other pollutant does coal in particular release?
Sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain.
9.Give an advantage of fossil fuels.
They are reliable, can be used whenever needed, and the technology already exists.
10.Give an advantage of nuclear power.
It produces no carbon dioxide during operation and a small amount of fuel produces a large amount of energy.
11.Give two disadvantages of nuclear power.
It produces radioactive waste that must be stored safely for a very long time, and the risk of a serious accident, though small, is high consequence.
12.Give an advantage of wind power.
No fuel cost, no carbon dioxide during operation, and it is renewable.
13.Give a disadvantage of wind power.
It is unreliable because it depends on the wind, and some people object to the appearance and noise of turbines.
14.Give an advantage of solar power.
It is renewable, free once installed, and useful in remote locations.
15.Give a disadvantage of solar power.
It only generates during daylight and produces less in poor weather, so it is unreliable.
16.What is hydroelectricity?
Generating electricity using the movement of water falling from a reservoir behind a dam.
17.Give an advantage and a disadvantage of hydroelectricity.
It is reliable and can respond quickly to demand, but building the dam floods large areas and destroys habitats.
18.What is tidal power?
Generating electricity from the movement of water as the tide comes in and goes out.
19.Why is tidal power more predictable than wind?
The tides follow a known cycle, so output can be forecast accurately even though it varies.
20.What is geothermal energy?
Energy from the thermal store of hot rocks underground, used for heating or to generate electricity.
21.Where is geothermal energy most practical?
In volcanically active regions where hot rocks are close to the surface, such as Iceland.
22.What is a biofuel?
A fuel made from plant or animal material, which is renewable because more can be grown.
23.Why are biofuels sometimes described as carbon neutral?
The plants absorbed carbon dioxide as they grew, roughly balancing what is released when the fuel is burned.
24.Give a disadvantage of biofuels.
Growing them uses land that could be used for food, and clearing land to grow them can cause habitat loss.
25.Why is the use of renewable resources increasing?
Concerns about climate change, government targets and falling costs of the technology.
26.Why has the change to renewables been slow?
The cost of new infrastructure, the unreliability of some resources, and political and economic pressure from existing industries.
You remember far more by trying to recall an answer than by reading it. Run these as flashcards and the ones you keep getting wrong will come back more often.
Start studyingOr see the other Energy decks.