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.