Energy Resources (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Environmental Management): Flashcards
Exam code: 0680
1/730Still learning
Know0
Where did the chemical energy in fossil fuels originally come from?
Was this flashcard helpful?
Cards in this collection (73)
Where did the chemical energy in fossil fuels originally come from?
The chemical energy in fossil fuels originally came from sunlight, which plants captured through photosynthesis.
True or False?
Coal forms from the remains of ancient marine plankton.
False.
Coal forms from the remains of ancient land plants that grew in swampy areas.
Define peat.
Peat is a soft, brown, spongy material made of partly decayed plant matter.
Why did dead plants in waterlogged ground decay slowly?
Dead plants in waterlogged ground decayed slowly because of the absence of oxygen.
The weight of sediment layers the peat and forced out water and gases.
The weight of sediment layers compressed the peat and forced out water and gases.
True or False?
Lignite is a hard, dark coal with a high carbon content.
False.
Lignite is a soft, brown coal with a low carbon content and lots of moisture.
Which type of coal has the highest carbon content and energy value?
Anthracite has the highest carbon content and energy value.
Define petroleum.
Petroleum (crude oil) is a liquid fossil fuel formed from the remains of marine organisms.
Which gas makes up most of natural gas?
Natural gas is made mainly of methane.
What buried the remains of plankton on the sea floor?
Layers of mud and sand buried the remains of plankton on the sea floor.
What changed buried plankton remains into oil and natural gas?
Rising temperature and pressure over millions of years changed the remains into oil and natural gas.
Oil and gas moved through porous rocks until rock layers trapped them.
Oil and gas moved through porous rocks until impermeable rock layers trapped them.
True or False?
Natural gas usually forms from different deposits than oil.
False.
Natural gas often forms alongside oil from the same marine deposits.
Which type of coal does lignite turn into next?
Lignite turns into bituminous coal, which is harder, darker and richer in carbon.
Define renewable energy resource.
A renewable energy resource is one that nature replenishes in a relatively short time, so it is non-finite.
True or False?
Nuclear power is a renewable energy source.
False.
Nuclear power uses uranium, a finite fuel, so it is a non-renewable energy source.
Define non-renewable energy resource.
A non-renewable energy resource exists in limited amounts and cannot be replaced quickly, so it will eventually run out.
What heats the water in geothermal power?
In geothermal power, hot rocks underground heat the water and turn it into steam.
Define biofuel.
A biofuel is a fuel made from living or recently living material, such as crops or waste.
How do producers make bioethanol?
Producers make bioethanol by fermenting crops such as sugarcane or maize.
A tidal power scheme uses a across an estuary or bay.
A tidal power scheme uses a barrage across an estuary or bay.
What turns the turbines at the base of a hydroelectric dam?
Fast-moving water released from the reservoir turns the turbines.
Define photovoltaic (PV) cell.
A photovoltaic (PV) cell is a panel that changes light energy directly into electrical energy.
True or False?
Solar thermal systems change sunlight directly into electricity.
False.
Solar thermal systems use mirrors to focus sunlight onto water, making steam that turns turbines and generators.
What do waves drive inside a wave power device?
Waves drive pistons or turbines inside a wave power device.
What links the blades of a wind turbine to its generator?
A shaft links the blades of a wind turbine to its generator.
True or False?
Wind turbines only work on land.
False.
Wind turbines can stand on-shore (on land) or off-shore (in the sea).
What is biogas mainly made of?
Biogas is mainly methane from rotting organic waste.
In a fossil fuel power station, the steam cools back into water, which the station in a closed loop.
In a fossil fuel power station, the steam cools back into water, which the station reuses in a closed loop.
In which part of a power station do fossil fuels burn?
Fossil fuels burn in a furnace in the power station.
Which process releases heat in a nuclear reactor?
Nuclear fission releases heat as uranium atoms split.
How can bioethanol reduce fossil fuel use?
Bioethanol can reduce fossil fuel use because it can be blended with petrol.
True or False?
Bioethanol has a higher energy content than petrol.
False.
Bioethanol has a lower energy content than petrol, so vehicles may need more fuel.
What land-use conflict do bioethanol fuel crops create?
Fuel crops can take up land needed for food crops to feed people.
When can biomass be carbon neutral?
Biomass can be carbon neutral when people replant forests or crops regularly.
Biogas captures that would otherwise enter the atmosphere.
Biogas captures methane that would otherwise enter the atmosphere.
Which supply does a biogas system depend on?
A biogas system depends on a steady supply of organic waste, which is not available everywhere.
True or False?
Burning wood for fuel is always sustainable.
False.
Unsustainable harvesting of wood causes deforestation and habitat loss.
Geothermal power is only possible in areas with suitable conditions.
Geothermal power is only possible in areas with suitable geological conditions.
Which ground hazard can geothermal power cause?
Geothermal power carries a risk of small earthquakes or ground movement.
Which two extra benefits can hydro-electric power schemes provide?
Hydro-electric power schemes can also provide flood control and irrigation.
True or False?
Hydro-electric dams have little effect on river wildlife.
False.
Dams disrupt river ecosystems and fish migration, and the flooded land destroys habitats.
Why is tidal power predictable?
Tidal power is predictable because of regular tidal cycles.
Which human activity can tidal barrages interfere with?
Tidal barrages can interfere with shipping and transport routes.
Which locations suit wave power?
Wave power suits areas with strong, regular waves.
Define intermittent energy source.
An intermittent energy source produces electricity only when conditions allow, such as when the wind blows.
Why do solar power systems need electricity storage?
Solar power systems need storage because panels produce no electricity at night or on cloudy days.
Why does solar power suit remote areas?
Solar power suits remote areas because it works without an electricity grid.
True or False?
Farmers cannot use the land around wind turbines.
False.
Farmers can still farm the land around wind turbines.
Which animals face a risk from wind turbine blades?
Birds and bats risk flying into wind turbine blades.
Define energy density.
Energy density is the amount of energy a fuel releases per kilogram.
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and .
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
Why are fossil fuels non-renewable?
Fossil fuels are non-renewable because they take millions of years to form.
How do global conflicts affect fossil fuels?
Global conflicts significantly affect fossil fuel prices and supplies.
True or False?
Nuclear power stations need large amounts of uranium fuel.
False.
Nuclear power stations need only small amounts of uranium fuel.
Which waste product of nuclear power needs safe storage?
Nuclear power produces radioactive waste that needs safe storage.
How does nuclear power increase energy security?
Nuclear power increases energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
How does personal wealth raise energy demand?
Wealthier people use more electrical appliances, heating and cooling, which raises energy demand.
True or False?
A weaker economy increases a country's energy use.
False.
A weaker economy means less manufacturing, less transport of goods and fewer foreign energy purchases, so energy use falls.
How do hot climates raise electricity demand?
Hot climates raise electricity demand through greater use of air conditioning.
Growth in delivery services and increases fuel use for transport.
Growth in delivery services and online shopping increases fuel use for transport.
Define unreliable supply.
An unreliable supply is an electricity supply that cuts out at times, causing outages.
Why does an unreliable electricity supply raise fuel use?
An unreliable supply raises fuel use because people rely on generators, which need extra fuel.
True or False?
Businesses in areas with unreliable supply use fewer energy sources.
False.
Businesses may use multiple energy sources to avoid outages, which raises consumption.
Why does a growing population need more energy for food production?
Food production uses energy for machinery and transport, so more people means more energy use.
Why do factories raise a country's energy demand?
Factories, machinery and processing plants need continuous power.
Define resource scarcity.
Resource scarcity is a shortage of energy resources as fuel reserves decline and start to run out.
How does resource scarcity affect demand for other energy sources?
Scarcity increases demand for alternative sources, such as renewables or imported fuel.
How can a natural disaster raise energy demand elsewhere?
A natural disaster can damage power stations, pipelines or grids, creating sudden increases in demand elsewhere.
How can political conflict affect energy supply?
Political conflict can disrupt oil and gas supply, causing shortages.
Extreme weather increases the use of cooling, heating and .
Extreme weather increases the use of cooling, heating and emergency services.
Why can declining fossil fuel reserves raise energy use?
Declining reserves can raise energy use because countries spend more energy searching for new reserves.
Which transport infrastructure increases energy use?
More road networks and airports increase energy use.
Sign up to unlock flashcards
or