ES6

Non-renewable sources of energy will run out e.g. oil, coal, petrol, diesel and natural gas. Fossil Fuels (coal, oil, petroleum, and natural gas) are originally formed from plants and animals that lived hundreds of millions of years ago and became buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface. These then collectively transformed into the combustible materials that we use today for fuel. The earliest known fossil fuel deposits are from about 500 million years ago, when most of the major groups of animals first appeared on Earth. The later fossil fuels, such as peat or lignite coal (soft coal), began forming from about five million years ago Nuclear energy is also non-renewable as it uses a fuel called uranium that will run out. Nuclear energy can produce a large amount of energy from a small amount of fuel however it produces radioactive waste which is difficult to store.

Explanation:

Fossil fuels are made from the remians of plants and animals. They can form natural gas, oil, peat and coal. When burned, their chemical energy is converted into heat energy

Advantages:

Easy to transport and store

Relatively cheap

Disadvantages:

They produce carbon dioxide which causes global warming.

When burned, they may cause acid rain

Explanation:

Nuclear fission occurs when the nucleus of a large atom is spilt into two smaller nuclei with the release of large amounts of energy. Nuclear energy is converted into heat energy and then into electrical energy

Advantages:

Vast amounts of energy can be produced from a small amount of fuel

No carbon dioxide or acid rain is produced

Disadvabatges:

Reactors are expensive to build

Accidents at nuclear power stations have released radioactivity that has caused birth defects, cancer and death

Renewable sources of energy will not run out e.g. solar, wind, tidal, geothermal. Solar panels which trap energy from the sun do not produce any polluting gases but they can be costly to install and don’t work on dull days.

The Sun is considered the primary source of energy for hydroelectricity as sunlight evaporates water to cause rainfall for rivers. The Sun is considered the primary source of energy for biofuel as sunlight causes plants to make (chemical) energy or fuel in photosynthesis.

Explanation:

The kinetic energy of the wind is converted to kinetic energy of a wind turbine and then into electricity in a generator.

Advantages:

Free source of energy.

No Carbon dioxide emissions, which can cause global warming.

Disadvantages:

Some people think that turbines are unsightly.

Cannot rely on wind blowing all the time.

Explanation:

Photovoltaic solar cells convert light energy into electricity.

Solar thermal collectors are used to heat water and convert light energy into heat energy.

Advantages:

Can be useful in areas where mains electricity is not easily available.

Disadvantages:

Energy is only avilable by day, so it needs to be stored if needed after darkness.

Explanation:

Rivers are dammed. The potential energy of the water is converted to kinetic energy in a turbine and then into electrical energy in a generator.

Advantages:

Free source of energy

Can be switched on and off in minutes

The dam can control flooding and store water for public supply and recreation

No carbon dioxide emissions

Disadvantages:

Land may need to be flooded when the dam is built, damaging natural habitat for plants and animals and perhaps people's homes.

Explanation:

Fast growing plants, manure and waste plant material are put in a tank. As it decays it makes natural gas. Alternatively, fast growing plants are burned to make heat

Chemical energy in the plants is converted to either chemical energy in natural gas, alcohol or heat energy by burning.

Advantages:

An aternative fuel to fossil fuel for cars and jet engines.

No net release of carbon dioxide

Disadvatages:

Land that may have been used to grow food will now be used to grow fuel. This will make food more expensive

Some biofuels produce a lot of smoke when burned.

Explanation:

The kinetic energy of the waves of the sea is used to generate electricty. As a wave approaches, it causes joined tubes to move up and down. This motion pushes on a hydraulic ram, which turns a turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator, which makes electricity

Advantages:

No carbon dioxide emissions

Enormous amounts of energy are available

Disadvantages:

During storms, the equipment could be destroyed.

The amount of energy produced depends on the weather.

Explanation:

The tide is blocked from coming in and out of a bay by a dam. Just like hydroelectricity, the potential energy of the dam water is converted into electrical energy.

Advantages:

Tides are very reliable and the energy supply will never run out.

No carbon dioxide emissions

Disadvantages:

Prevents ships and fish moving into certain areas.

Only available during certain times.

Explanation:

Cold water is pumped deep into the Earth and returns as steam. The heat energy is converted into kinetic energy in a turbine and then into electrical energy in a generator.

Advantages:

No carbon dioxide emissions

Hot water could be also used to heat homes and glasshouses.

Disadvantages:

Only possible in certain volcanic parts of the world

May be expensive to build

Can relax toxic gases