AQA Physics Unit 1 (PART 2)

Description

Sections 4 and 5
liv.ss55
Mind Map by liv.ss55, updated more than 1 year ago
liv.ss55
Created by liv.ss55 about 9 years ago
85
3

Resource summary

AQA Physics Unit 1 (PART 2)
  1. Sections 4 and 5
    1. Methods We Use to Generate Electricity
      1. Evaluate different methods of generating electricity given data including start-up times, costs of electricity generation and the total cost of generating electricity when factors such as building and decommissioning are taken into account. The reliability of different methods should also be understood.evaluate ways of matching supply with demand, either by increasing supply or decreasing demand
        1. Candidates should be aware of the fact that, of the fossil fuel power stations, gas-fired have the shortest start-up time. They should also be aware of the advantages of pumped storage systems in order to meet peak demand, and as a means of storing energy for later use. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of overhead power lines and underground cables
        2. Generating Electricity
          1. In some power stations an energy source is used to heat water. The steam produced drives a turbine that is coupled to an electrical generator
            1. Energy sources include: the fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) which are burned to heat water or air; Uranium and plutonium, when energy from nuclear fission is used to heat water; Biofuels that can be burned to heat water.
              1. Water and wind can be used to drive turbines directly
              2. Energy sources used in this way include, but are not limited to, wind, waves, tides and the falling of water in hydroelectric schemes.
                1. Electricity can be produced directly from the Sun's radiation.
              3. solar cells can be used to generate electricity and should be able to describe the advantages and disadvantages of their use.
                1. DISADVANTAGES
                  1. 1. Solar energy can only be harnessed when it is daytime and sunny.
                    1. 2. Solar collectors, panels and cells are relatively expensive to manufacture although prices are falling rapidly.
                      1. 3. Solar power stations can be built but they do not match the power output of similar sized conventional power stations. They are also very expensive.
                        1. 4. In countries such as the UK, the unreliable climate means that solar energy is also unreliable as a source of energy. Cloudy skies reduce its effectiveness.
                          1. 5. Large areas of land are required to capture the suns energy. Collectors are usually arranged together especially when electricity is to be produced and used in the same location.
                            1. 6. Solar power is used to charge batteries so that solar powered devices can be used at night. However, the batteries are large and heavy and need storage space. They also need replacing from time to time.
                  2. ADVANTAGES
                    1. 1. Solar energy is free although there is a cost in the building of ‘collectors’ and other equipment required to convert solar energy into electricity or hot water.
                      1. 2. Solar energy does not cause pollution. However, solar collectors and other associated equipment / machines are manufactured in factories that in turn cause some pollution.
                        1. 3. Solar energy can be used in remote areas where it is too expensive to extend the electricity power grid.
                          1. 4. Many everyday items such as calculators and other low power consuming devices can be powered by solar energy effectively.
                            1. 5. It is estimated that the worlds oil reserves will last for 30 to 40 years. On the other hand, solar energy is infinite (forever).
              Show full summary Hide full summary

              Similar

              B1.1.1 Diet and Exercise Flash Cards
              Tom.Snow
              AQA Physics P1 Quiz
              Bella Statham
              GCSE AQA Physics - Unit 3
              James Jolliffe
              GCSE AQA Physics 1 Energy & Efficiency
              Lilac Potato
              P2 Radioactivity and Stars
              dfreeman
              Biology Unit 1a - GCSE - AQA
              RosettaStoneDecoded
              AS Biology Unit 1
              lilli.atkin
              Psychology subject map
              Jake Pickup
              P2a revision (part 1)
              juliasutton
              Cell Transport
              Elena Cade
              Psychology A1
              Ellie Hughes