Energy Resources and Electricity

Flashcards based on lecture notes about energy resources, electric circuits, static electricity, and nuclear reactions.

What is a non-renewable resource?

A resource that will eventually run out.

Define efficiency in the context of energy resources.

The ratio of energy output to total energy input.

What is a carbon-neutral activity?

An activity that does not increase atmospheric CO2 levels.

What is meant by 'base load' in electricity demand?

The minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time.

What are the main types of power stations?

Thermal (burning fuels), nuclear, hydroelectric (water), wind turbines, solar panels, tidal wave, geothermal.

How do thermal power stations generate electricity?

Fuel is burned to heat water, creating steam that turns turbines connected to generators.

How do hydroelectric power stations generate electricity?

Water is moved to turn turbines which generate electricity.

How do wind turbines generate electricity?

Wind turns blades connected to a generator.

How do solar panels generate electricity?

They convert sunlight directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.

What does Q stand for? (Q=I x t)

Charge

What does I stand for in (Q=I x t)?

Current

What is the unit for current?

Ampere (A)

What does 'V' stand for?

Potential Difference

What is potential difference measured in?

Volts(V)

What is the unit for Resistance?

Ohms

What is alternating current (AC)?

Current that changes direction periodically.

What is the approximate voltage and frequency of UK mains electricity?

230V, 50 Hz

What is direct current (DC)?

Current that flows in one direction only.

What provides direct current?

Batteries

Define 'static electricity'.

The buildup of electric charge on a surface.

What happens when some insulators are rubbed together?

They became electrically charged; electrons are rubbed off one material onto another.

What is an Electric Field?

Region around a changed object where other changes experience a non-contact force.

Define 'Ohmic conductor'.

Components with constant resistance

Define 'thermistor'.

Temperature dependant resistor

Define 'LDR'.

Light dependant resistor

What are the three wires in the National Grid?

Live wire, neutral wire, and earth wire.

What does the earth wire do?

Provides a safe path for current to pass safely to the ground in case of a fault.

What does a fuse do?

Protects a circuit by melting if the current is too high.

What does a circuit breaker do?

Automatically switches off a circuit if the current is too high.

How are gasses' particles structured?

Far apart, weak intermolecular bonds.

How are solid's particles structured?

Particles closely packed.

Define radiation (Alpha)

Alpha is highly ionising.

Define radiation (Beta)

Beta is medium ionising.

Define radiation (Gamma)

Gamma is low ionising

What is Alpha radiation?

Two protons and two neutrons.

Define radioactivity.

The process where unstable nuclei emit radiation to become more stable, forming new elements. It's random and spontaneous.

E=P x t, what does t stand for?

Time

What are the two types of Specific Latent Heat?

Fusion and Vaporisation

What happens to Kinetic Energy when heated?

Kinetic energy increases.

What happens to Potential Energy when heated and changing state?

Potential energy increases.

E=m x c x Δθ, what is the change in?

Temperature

What does Becquerel (Bq) measure?

1 decay per second

E=m x L, what should 'L' stand for?

Specific Latent Heat

What is nuclear fission?

When a large, unstable nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

What is needed to make a chain reaction?

Neutrons

What helps control a chain reaction?

Control Rods and Moderators

Define Half-Life.

Time it takes for half of the radioactive isotopes in a sample to decay.

What is Nuclear Fusion?

when two or more small nuceli fuse to make a larger nucleus releasing huge amounts of energy.