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An advantage of overhead electrical lines compared to underground lines is that they are cheap to repair.

Electricity - Methods we use to Generate Electricity

How do power stations turn fuels, wind, or sunlight into useful electricity? This GCSE Physics quiz explores real-world methods we use to generate energy for homes and industry.

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Fascinating Fact:

Geothermal power stations use hot water and steam from deep underground to turn turbines and generate electricity.

In GCSE Physics, you compare different methods of generating electricity, from fossil fuel power stations to renewable resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal. You learn how energy is transferred from fuel or natural processes to turbines and generators, how the National Grid transports this electricity, and why choosing low carbon energy sources is important for reducing pollution and climate change.

Key Terms

Renewable resource: An energy source that is replaced naturally and will not run out on a human timescale, such as wind, sunlight or flowing water.
Fossil fuel: Fuel formed from ancient plants and animals, such as coal, oil and natural gas, which releases carbon dioxide when burned.
Turbine: A machine with blades that are made to spin by moving water, steam or air, transferring energy to a generator.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are the main ways we generate electricity for the National Grid?

Electricity for the National Grid is mainly generated in power stations using fossil fuels, nuclear fuel and renewable sources such as wind farms, solar panels, hydroelectric dams and geothermal plants.

Why is renewable electricity generation important in GCSE Physics?

Renewable electricity generation is important because it produces little or no carbon dioxide during operation. This helps reduce climate change and provides a more sustainable long term energy supply than fossil fuels.

How does a power station turn fuel into electrical energy?

In many power stations the fuel heats water to produce steam, which spins a turbine connected to a generator. The generator converts kinetic energy from the turbine into electrical energy for the Grid.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which of the following fossil fuels has the shortest start-up time?

Coal

Oil

Gas

They all have the same start up time

Oil fired power stations have a shorter start up time than coal

2 .

What is an advantage of renewable sources of energy?

Produce small amounts of electricity

There is an unlimited supply

High maintenance

High initial capital outlay

There are limited supplies of fossil and nuclear fuels

3 .

What is an advantage of using water pumped storage systems?

Uses less electricity

Increases cost of electricity at peak times

Creates electricity at peak times enabling demand to be met

It creates free electricity

Using water pumped storage systems allows power companies to pump water into a high lake using electricity obtained at low demand times, ensuring all power demands can be met during peak times. Its start up time is just a few seconds

4 .

What is an advantage of overhead electrical lines compared to underground lines?

Cheaper to repair

Affected by weather

There is no advantage to using overhead lines as opposed to underground

Overhead lines produce more electricity

They are also cheaper to set up. Buried power cables do have many advantages but in the end, the decision usually comes down to balancing the costs with convenience to consumers

5 .

Which of the following materials are used in nuclear reactors?

Argon

Kryptonite

Coal

Uranium and plutonium

The most common nuclear fuels are the isotopes of these two elements - uranium-235 and plutonium-239. Kryptonite is a fictional material from the Superman stories, it doesn't exist in real life!!

6 .

What is an advantage of using gas?

Risk of spillage during transport

Produce CO₂ and SO₂

Flexible in meeting demand and has a quick start-up time

Produce radioactive material

Gas fired power stations can be started up a lot quicker than coal, oil or nuclear stations

7 .

What is an advantage of nuclear power?

Radioactive waste produced

No CO₂ or SO₂ produced

Costly decommissioning process

Long start-up time

The cost of fuel for nuclear plants is relatively low. They only require small amounts of fuel in order to be able to create large amounts of energy but building nuclear power stations is extremely expensive

8 .

What is an advantage of burning coal?

Cheap and plentiful supplies

Produces more CO₂ per unit of energy than oil or gas

Causes acid rain

Will never run out

Coal-fired power stations are flexible in meeting demand and have a quicker start-up time than nuclear plants. It is estimated that there may be over a century's worth of coal left

9 .

How do solar cells create electricity?

Absorb light energy from the sun

Use turbines which are turned by the wind

Turbine turned by water flows through pipes

Uses steam produced in the Earth's crust to drive turbines

This is known as the photovoltaic effect. Be careful not to confuse solar cells with solar panels which reduce household electricity use by producing hot water by absorbing the Sun's heat

10 .

Why is decommissioning a nuclear power plant expensive?

The radioactive material has to be fired into space

Radioactive material needs to be disposed of

It is no more costly than decommissioning any other power plant

The material left over has to be used and this takes time and requires man power to ensure the material is safely burned

This requires specialist techniques and materials to ensure the nuclear hazard does not get into the environment

Author: Martin Moore