Untitled Flashcards Set

1. Energy Sources (C.1)

• Fossil Fuels:

• Types of fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas.

• Combustion: Understand the chemical reactions involved in burning fossil fuels (typically hydrocarbon combustion to produce CO₂ and H₂O).

• Environmental Impact: CO₂ emissions, global warming, and pollutants (e.g., sulfur and nitrogen oxides).

• Renewable Energy:

• Types of renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass.

• Advantages and disadvantages of each renewable energy source compared to fossil fuels.

• Nuclear Energy:

• Basics of nuclear fission (splitting of atoms to release energy).

• Key isotopes: uranium-235 and plutonium-239.

• Environmental and safety concerns of nuclear waste and radiation.

2. Nuclear Fusion and Fission (C.2)

• Nuclear Fusion:

• Fusion reactions as a potential energy source, such as the fusion of hydrogen isotopes to form helium.

• Benefits and challenges of nuclear fusion (e.g., high energy yield but requires extreme conditions).

• Nuclear Fission:

• Basics of nuclear fission reactions, where a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

• Understanding chain reactions and critical mass.

3. Solar Energy (C.3)

• Photovoltaic Cells:

• Basics of how photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electricity.

• Understanding the role of semiconductors (e.g., silicon) in photovoltaic cells.

• Solar Heating:

• How solar panels use sunlight to heat water or buildings.

• Distinction between active and passive solar heating.

• Environmental and Economic Aspects:

• Benefits of solar energy (low pollution and renewable).

• Limitations (intermittent nature, high setup cost).

4. Environmental Impact (C.4)

• Greenhouse Gases:

• Sources and effects of greenhouse gases: CO₂, CH₄ (methane), N₂O (nitrous oxide).

• Link between greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

• Carbon Footprint:

• Calculating and understanding carbon footprint (amount of CO₂ emissions from human activities).

• Strategies to reduce carbon footprint, including energy conservation, renewable energy, and carbon offsetting.

• Pollutants from Energy Production:

• Types of pollutants from burning fossil fuels, such as sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulates.

• Effects on health and the environment (e.g., acid rain, respiratory issues).

5. Electrochemistry and Batteries (C.5)

• Galvanic Cells:

• Basics of galvanic cells (voltaic cells) as sources of electrical energy.

• Components of a galvanic cell: anode, cathode, electrolyte, and salt bridge.

• Standard electrode potentials (E°) and calculating cell potential.

• Types of Batteries:

• Common types of batteries: primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable).

• Examples:

• Lead-Acid Battery: Structure, reactions, and applications.

• Nickel-Cadmium Battery: Structure, reactions, and applications.

• Lithium-Ion Battery: Popular in portable electronics; structure, reactions, and benefits (high energy density, rechargeability).

• Fuel Cells:

• Basics of fuel cells, focusing on the hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell.

• Understanding how fuel cells generate electricity through redox reactions.

• Environmental benefits and challenges of hydrogen as a fuel source.

6. Electrolysis (C.6)

• Basics of Electrolysis:

• Understanding how electrical energy drives chemical reactions.

• Components of an electrolytic cell: anode, cathode, and electrolyte.

• Electrolysis of Water:

• Splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.

• Applications in hydrogen fuel production.

• Electrolytic Production of Metals:

• Basics of extracting metals from ores through electrolysis (e.g., aluminum from aluminum oxide).

• Environmental impact of metal extraction and electrolysis.

7. Energy Density and Efficiency (C.7)

• Energy Density:

• Definition of energy density (energy per unit volume or mass of fuel).

• Comparison of energy densities for different fuels (e.g., fossil fuels vs. hydrogen).

• Efficiency of Energy Conversions:

• Calculation and understanding of efficiency in energy conversions.

• Reasons for energy loss in conversions, particularly heat loss.

Practice Skills for Paper 3:

• Data Interpretation: Be prepared to analyze graphs, tables, and data on energy sources, environmental impact, and efficiency.

• Calculations: You may need to perform basic calculations related to energy density, efficiency, and electrochemical potentials.

• Understanding Real-World Applications: Be familiar with how these energy concepts apply in everyday contexts, particularly environmental impacts.

Study Tips for Option C:

• Understand Key Reactions and Equations: Particularly for combustion, redox reactions in batteries, and electrolysis.

• Practice Diagrams: Know how to draw and label a galvanic cell, electrolytic cell, and fuel cell.

• Focus on Environmental Impact: Since this option has a strong environmental focus, understanding the pros and cons of each energy source is essential.

• Review Calculations for Energy: Practice energy density, efficiency, and simple calculations involving moles and energy conversions.