AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 1 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER
National and global energy resources
Energy · Lesson 7 of 7
Warm-up
Answer each one, then check.
1. Name a fossil fuel.
Coal, oil or natural gas
2. What does renewable mean?
Can be replenished as it is used
3. What gas do fossil fuels release when burned?
Carbon dioxide
4. What is generated in a power station?
Electricity
5. Name a use of energy resources other than electricity.
Transport or heating
Learning Objectives
1. Name the main energy resources.
2. Distinguish renewable and non-renewable resources.
3. Compare their uses: transport, electricity generation, heating.
4. Explain why some resources are more reliable than others.
5. Describe environmental impacts and explain trends in resource use.
Renewable
A renewable energy resource is one that is being, or can be, replenished as it is used.
Non-renewable resources will run out: fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and nuclear fuel. Renewable: bio-fuel, wind, hydro-electricity, geothermal, tides, the Sun and water waves.
Renewable and Non-renewable Resources
|
Reliable means it can produce power when needed. |
Two columns showing non-renewable and renewable energy resources with their reliability.
Comparing Energy Resources
Use this to compare for evaluation questions.
|
Resource |
Renewable? |
Reliable? |
Main environmental issue |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Coal, oil, gas |
No |
Yes |
Release carbon dioxide (global warming); coal and oil also cause acid rain or pollution |
|
Nuclear fuel |
No |
Yes |
Radioactive waste; risk of accidents; very low carbon dioxide |
|
Wind |
Yes |
No: depends on wind speed |
Visual and noise impact; can affect birds |
|
Solar |
Yes |
No: only in daylight and sunshine |
Land use for large solar farms |
|
Hydro-electric |
Yes |
Mostly, if water is stored |
Flooding valleys destroys habitats |
|
Tides and waves |
Yes |
Tides are predictable; waves vary |
Can affect marine life and sea views |
|
Bio-fuel |
Yes |
Yes, can be stored |
Land used for crops; carbon dioxide released when burned |
|
Geothermal |
Yes |
Yes |
Only possible in some places |
Uses of Energy Resources
|
Transport Petrol, diesel and bio-fuels power vehicles. |
Electricity generation Fossil fuels, nuclear fuel, wind, solar, hydro, tides, waves and geothermal turn generators or solar cells. |
|
Heating Gas and bio-fuels heat homes; geothermal and solar can heat water directly. |
Descriptions of the power station process are not required for this specification. |
Why Are Some More Reliable?
Reliability means the resource can supply energy on demand.
▸ Fuels. Coal, oil, gas, nuclear fuel and bio-fuel can be stored and used when needed.
▸ Weather. Wind and solar depend on weather and time of day.
▸ Predictable. Tides are predictable because they depend on the Moon and Sun.
Patterns and Trends
Use of renewables has grown.
▸ Reasons for growth. To reduce carbon dioxide emissions, government targets, falling costs of wind and solar.
▸ Slow change. Building new power stations is expensive and takes time.
▸ Science and society. Science can identify environmental problems but political, social, ethical and economic factors decide how they are tackled.
Key Terms
|
Renewable A resource that is replenished as it is used. |
Non-renewable A resource that will run out. |
|
Fossil fuel Coal, oil or natural gas formed from ancient organisms. |
Reliable Able to supply energy whenever it is needed. |
|
Bio-fuel A fuel made from plant or animal matter. |
Global warming Rise in the Earth's average temperature linked to greenhouse gases. |
Your Task: Evaluate the Options
15 minutes
|
A town needs a new power source. In groups, choose between a wind farm, a gas power station and a nuclear power station, giving two advantages and two disadvantages of each. 1. List advantages. 2. List disadvantages. 3. Decide and justify. |
A good answer shows: Wind: no fuel or CO2 in use but not reliable, visual impact. Gas: reliable but produces CO2 and uses a finite fuel. Nuclear: reliable and low CO2 but produces radioactive waste and is costly to build and decommission.
Can I...?
☐ Name the main energy resources.
☐ Say which are renewable.
☐ Compare uses of resources.
☐ Explain reliability.
☐ Describe environmental impacts.
☐ Describe trends in use.
☐ Evaluate two resources.
☐ Use data to justify a conclusion.
Summary
✓ Renewable resources are replenished as they are used.
✓ Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel are non-renewable.
✓ Wind and solar are not reliable; fuels are reliable.
✓ Each resource has environmental impacts.
|
EXAM FOCUS State two renewable energy resources. (2 marks) Give complete, specific resources such as wind or hydro-electricity. |