Using Energy

Question 1

What is a renewable energy resource?

Answer 1

An energy source which can be

replenished as it is being used up.

Question 2

Give four examples of renewable energy resources.

Answer 2

1. Wind Energy
2. Hydro-Electricity
3. Tidal Energy
4. Solar Energy

Question 3

Give an example of a non-renewable energy

resource.

Answer 3

Fossil fuels (for example coal, oil and 
gas).

Question 4

What are the advantages of generating power using

gas rather than coal?

Answer 4

●Flexible Generation: Gas power
stations have short start-up times so
can be switched on/off more readily
● Lower emissions of carbon dioxide

Question 5

State two disadvantages of using renewable energy

resources to generate power.

Answer 5

● Output often determined by external factors
(like wind speed), so supply is uncertain
● Renewable fuels often produce less energy
per kg (so are less economical)

Question 6

Explain the environmental impacts of burning fossil

fuels

Answer 6

●Carbon Dioxide contributes to the 
greenhouse effect, and causes global
warming
● Sulphur Dioxide leads to acid rain, which 
can damage buildings and crops

Question 7

State three advantages of fossil fuels as an energy

resource.

Answer 7

1. Reliable: Not dependent on external factors
   so can generate power anytime
2. Produce large amounts of energy per kg
3. Still relatively abundant, so cost-effective

Question 8

State three advantages of nuclear

power.

Answer 8

1. Very large amounts of energy per kg of fuel
2. No greenhouse gases released, so doesn’t
   contribute to climate change
3. Low fuel costs

Question 9

State three disadvantages of nuclear power.

Answer 9

1. Produces nuclear waste which is harmful to
   humans & must be safely stored for centuries.
2. Non-Renewable energy source
3. Risk of nuclear accidents, which have fatal
   consequences on humans and the
   environment

Question 10

Give examples of social factors to consider in energy

production.

Answer 10

● Visual Pollution
● Sound Pollution

( both of these are disadvantages of wind farms)

Question 11

How does hydroelectric power produce energy?

Answer 11

● Rainwater collects behind a dam
● When this water is released, it is used
to turn a turbine
● This turbine turns a generator which 
produces electricity

Question 12

What are some disadvantages of using biofuels?

Answer 12

● When plants are burned/decay they release CO2
● In order to grow biofuels, you need to destroy land:
○ Habitat destruction
○ CO2
released when plants are cleared (for example, if
they are burned)
● Growing biofuels reduces the land available for food crops

Question 13

What are the advantages of tidal energy sources?

Answer 13

● No greenhouse gases
● Fairly reliable - tides occur twice a day
● Cheap to run as tides are natural, so
free

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric power?

Answer 14

● The dam may cause flooding
● It can cost a lot to install the required
infrastructure

Question 15

What are some advantages of solar panels?

Answer 15

● They don’t cause harm to the
environment
● They are a renewable resource
● They can be used in remote areas where
other types of energy are less accessible