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Cognito · AQA PhysicsRenewable Energy
Key facts
Non-renewable energy sources
- Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) — burn to release heat → steam → turbine → generator → electricity.
- Nuclear — fission releases heat → steam → turbine → generator. No CO₂ but produces radioactive waste.
- Advantages: reliable, can match demand (controllable), well-established technology.
- Disadvantages: finite (will run out), CO₂ emissions cause climate change, nuclear waste difficult to dispose of.
Renewable energy sources
- Solar — photovoltaic cells convert light directly to electricity. Reliable in sunny regions, no emissions.
- Wind — turbines. Free fuel, no emissions, but intermittent (no wind = no power), visual impact.
- Hydroelectric — stored water released through turbines. Reliable and controllable, but flooding habitats.
- Tidal — very predictable, but few suitable locations, expensive to build.
- Geothermal — heat from Earth's core. Reliable but only viable in volcanic regions.
- Biofuel — burns plant material. Carbon neutral in theory, competes with food production.
Exam questions — 4 questions · 12 marks
⚡ Extended questions included. Show all working for calculation questions. The AI marks against the real AQA mark scheme.
1 markRenewable definitionAQA 8463 P1 style
Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?
A Coal
B Natural gas
C Nuclear fission
D Wind
4 marksEvaluate wind vs nuclearAQA 8463 P1 style
Evaluate wind turbines and nuclear power stations as methods of generating electricity. Consider reliability, environmental impact and cost. (4 marks)
Hint: Cover both sources: reliability, cost, environmental impact. Give both sides for each. End with a comparative conclusion.
+40 XP
1 markNational grid purposeAQA 8463 P1 style
Why does the National Grid use very high voltages to transmit electricity?
A High voltage makes electricity travel faster through cables
B High voltage reduces the current, which reduces the energy wasted as heat in the transmission cables
C High voltage allows more electricity to be stored in the cables
D High voltage prevents the electricity from leaking out of the cables
Module complete! 🎉
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