Fossil Fuels (AQA GCSE Design & Technology): Revision Note
Exam code: 8552
How power is generated from coal, gas & oil
What are fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy sources formed over millions of years from the remains of animals and plants
Fossil fuels include coal, oil and natural gas
How is power generated from fossil fuels?
Power, in the form of electricity, is generated by burning fossil fuels:
The fuel (coal, oil or natural gas) is burned in a power station
Burning the fossil fuel generates heat
The heat is used to boil water to create steam
The steam powers turbines to spin
A generator connected to the turbine generates electricity
Arguments for & against the selection of fossil fuels
Arguments For | Arguments Against |
|---|---|
Produce the large amounts of energy needed for industry and homes | Non-renewable and will eventually run out |
Can be burned at any time, ensuring society always has access to power | Release carbon dioxide (CO₂), a known contributor to global warming |
Established power stations and infrastructure are relatively low cost to maintain compared to alternatives | Mining or drilling causes significant damage to the environment |
Burning causes localised air pollution and can result in acid rain |
Worked Example
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using fossil fuels as a power source for industry.
[2 marks]
Answer:
Advantage: Fossil fuels produce large amounts of energy, which is essential for powering industrial processes and machinery [1 mark].
Disadvantage: Mining for coal or drilling for oil and gas causes significant environmental damage to the local area [1 mark].
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