7.2 Energy Sources Uses & Management (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): HL): Flashcards

True.

Solar panels typically last 20–30 years and require careful disposal to avoid chemical pollution.

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting the nucleus of an atom to release energy, which is used in nuclear power stations.

Liquefaction of natural gas emits carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases during the process.

Tidal energy is considered reliable because it depends on tidal patterns, which are predictable.

Nuclear waste remains hazardous for thousands of years and safe storage is difficult and expensive.

Energy consumption is the total amount of energy used by individuals, industries, and countries.

True.

Global energy consumption rises as populations and individual demands increase.

Meeting energy needs whilst managing environmental and economic impacts is a significant challenge.

Meeting growing energy needs must address both environmental and economic impacts.

Per capita energy demand refers to the amount of energy used by each person.

As countries become wealthier, they tend to use more energy for industrial processes, transportation, and technology.

Global concerns about climate change are encouraging a shift to cleaner energy sources like solar and wind.

Renewable energy is energy derived from naturally replenishing sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.

False.

Fossil fuels still supply the majority of the world’s energy; renewable energy is growing but remains a smaller portion.

Industries like steel and concrete production rely on fossil fuels because renewables are not yet suitable for high-energy processes.

Synthetic fertilisers are produced using ammonia, which is made from natural gas.

Energy storage is necessary because sources like solar and wind do not provide a constant supply, so surplus energy needs to be stored for later use.

Energy efficiency means using less energy to perform the same task.

Encouraging individuals and industries to use less energy can make a big difference in reducing consumption.

Energy storage is the process of saving energy for later use, allowing a reliable supply even when generation is low, especially from renewable sources.

Energy storage is important for renewable energy sources because it ensures a reliable supply of electricity even when generation from sources like wind or solar is low.

Many renewable energy sources do not produce a consistent flow of energy, making storage important.

Storing energy when production is high allows it to be released when demand exceeds supply, making energy supply more reliable.

Pumped hydroelectricity storage (PHS) is a method of storing energy by pumping water to a higher reservoir using surplus electricity and releasing it to generate electricity when needed.

Batteries store electricity as chemical energy and release it when needed, commonly in electric vehicles and home solar systems.

PHS has a large capacity and can provide a quick response to increases in electricity demand.

One environmental disadvantage of pumped hydroelectricity storage is that building dams and reservoirs can damage ecosystems and disrupt local wildlife.

Fuel cells convert stored chemical energy, often from hydrogen, directly into electricity.

Energy conservation means changing our behaviour to use less energy.

Energy efficiency means using technologies and designs that require less energy to perform the same task.

LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs.

Passive solar building design increases energy efficiency by using natural sunlight to heat buildings, reducing the need for artificial heating.

Designing goods to be recycled reduces the energy needed for producing new materials.

Rotor sails help improve energy efficiency in commercial shipping by harnessing wind energy to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy security is the uninterrupted availability of energy at affordable prices.

Energy independence is a country's ability to produce or procure its own energy resources without relying heavily on imports.

A key aspect of energy security is ensuring that energy is affordable to maintain economic stability.

Energy security reduces a country's dependence on energy imports, making it less vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Using a mix of energy sources to reduce reliance on a single supply is called energy diversification.

True.

Energy efficiency strategies reduce energy consumption through better technology and practices.

Increasing domestic energy production reduces reliance on imports and helps ensure a stable supply of energy.

Affordable and reliable energy supports essential services such as heating, healthcare, and transportation.

Fossil fuels are natural resources formed over millions of years from decomposed plants and animals.

The three main types of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas.

Fossil fuels provide about 80% of the world’s energy.

Fossil fuels remain important because they provide about 80% of the world’s energy, power industries, transport, and homes, and generate significant revenue for many countries.

A finite resource is a resource that exists in limited quantities and will eventually run out with continued use, such as fossil fuels.

The rate of consumption and discovery of new deposits influence how long fossil fuel reserves last.

Industrialisation increases energy needs and fossil fuel consumption due to growing demand for power in industries and transport.

Energy inefficiency is when outdated or wasteful technology results in higher fossil fuel consumption than necessary for the same amount of energy produced.

Advances in technology have enabled the discovery and precise locating of previously inaccessible fossil fuel reserves, such as deepwater oil off the coast of Brazil.

Extraction methods like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) have enabled access to shale gas reserves in the United States.

Investment in renewables reduces demand for fossil fuels by providing alternative energy sources.

Nuclear energy is energy released from nuclear reactions and is used as a low-carbon alternative for electricity generation.

France generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear power.

Nuclear power is the generation of electricity using the energy released from nuclear reactions, specifically nuclear fission.

The type of nuclear reaction used is nuclear fission, where the nucleus of a heavy atom is split to release energy.

Nuclear power uses finite resources such as uranium and plutonium.

False.

Nuclear power is non-renewable because it relies on finite resources like uranium and plutonium which will eventually run out.

When the nucleus of uranium-235 undergoes fission, large amounts of energy and additional neutrons are released.

The most commonly used fuel in nuclear reactors is uranium-235.

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium or plutonium, to release energy.

The turbine uses steam to transfer thermal energy into kinetic energy in a nuclear power station.

Nuclear power is important for reducing greenhouse gas emissions because it produces minimal CO₂ during electricity generation, unlike fossil fuels.

True.

Uranium mining can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and radioactive waste.

Nuclear power stations discharge heated water into rivers, causing thermal pollution.

Radioactive waste remains hazardous for thousands of years and must be stored in specially designed containers.

Battery storage is the use of batteries to store energy for later use.

Batteries are important because they can store excess energy when supply is high and release it when demand is high, helping to balance energy supply and demand.

Large-scale battery storage is essential for countries attempting to transition to low-carbon energy systems.

A tailings dam is a structure used to store waste materials left over after extracting valuable minerals or metals from ore during mining.

False.

Mining for battery materials can cause land degradation, water contamination, habitat destruction, and produce toxic by-products.

Over 70% of global cobalt production comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of chemically similar metals used in some battery components to enhance performance.

China dominates the mining and processing of rare earth elements.