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Conventional power stations burn coal, oil or gas.

Physics - Conventional Power Stations (AQA)

Explore how fuel is burned in power stations, how turbines and generators produce electricity, and how that electricity reaches homes safely through the National Grid.

Explore the Topic →

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Fascinating Fact:

The National Grid sends electricity at very high voltages. Step up transformers reduce current to cut I²R losses.

In GCSE Science (Physics), you study conventional power stations that burn fuel to heat water into steam. Steam turns turbines linked to generators, while transformers adjust voltages so electricity can be transmitted efficiently.

Key Terms

Conventional power station: A power station that burns fossil fuels, such as coal, oil or gas, to generate electricity.
Turbine: A machine with blades that is spun by moving steam, water or gas, transferring energy to a generator.
Generator: A device that converts kinetic energy from a turbine into electrical energy.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How does a conventional power station generate electricity?

A fuel is burned to heat water and produce steam. The steam drives a turbine, which turns a generator. The generator then produces electricity for the National Grid.

What is the National Grid in GCSE Physics?

The National Grid is the network of cables, pylons and transformers that carries electricity from power stations to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses across the country.

Why is electricity transmitted at high voltage?

Transmitting electricity at high voltage keeps the current low, which reduces energy lost as heat in the cables. This makes long-distance transmission more efficient and cost-effective.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What is the purpose of the turbine in a power station?

To burn the fuel

To boil the water

To turn the generator

To generate the electricity

The turbine transfers heat energy into kinetic energy

2 .

In a power station using a fossil fuel or biofuel, what is the overall energy transfer?

Chemical to electrical

Nuclear to electrical

Heat to electrical

Kinetic to electrical

Fossil fuels and biofuels contain stored chemical energy which is released as heat when it is burnt. This heat is then transferred to kinetic energy by the turbines, and from kinetic to electrical by the generators

3 .

In a nuclear power station, which of the following represents the sequence of energy transfers in the correct order?

Nuclear → heat → kinetic → electrical

Chemical → nuclear → heat → kinetic → electrical

Chemical → nuclear → heat → electrical

Nuclear → kinetic → electrical

The heat energy is transferred to kinetic energy in the turbine, exactly as with the fuel burning power station

4 .

To which of the following environmental issues does burning fossil fuels to generate electricity contribute?

Acid rain

Global warming

Smog

Ozone depletion

Burning fossil fuels produces a lot of carbon dioxide

5 .

Which of the following is also released when fossil fuels are burnt?

Methane and soot

Nitrogen

Sulfur dioxide and soot

Hydrocarbons

Sulfur dioxide and soot from power stations used to contribute to the problems of acid rain and smog but, in the UK, power stations are now fitted with systems to clean up the gases and solid particles that were responsible. There are some countries in the world where they don't bother to do this

6 .

In a nuclear fuel, where is the energy released from?

From the electrons

From reactions between atoms

From the effects of vibrations of the atoms

From changes in the nucleus

That is why it is called nuclear fuel

7 .

Which of the following power stations has the shortest start up time?

Nuclear

Coal fired

Oil fired

Gas fired

This type of power station is usually used to provide extra electricity at peak times. Nuclear and coal fired have the longest start up times so they are constantly running and used to provide what is termed 'base load' electricity. This means that electricity is always available from the National Grid

8 .

Although nuclear fuel is relatively cheap, electricity from nuclear power stations is relatively expensive. Why?

They need to be built to high safety standards to ensure that no radioactive material escapes

Dealing with the used nuclear fuel requires special reinforced containers

It is very difficult to safely decommission (dismantle) them at the end of their useful life

All of the above

Containing, handling and disposing of radioactive materials needs special equipment and procedures

9 .

What are the two elements used as nuclear fuels?

Uranium and polonium

Uranium and plutonium

Plutonium and krypton

Polonium and neptunium

Plutonium is also used in a destructive capacity in atomic bombs

10 .

What type of nuclear reaction occurs in a nuclear power station?

Oxidation

Combustion

Fission

Fusion

Some scientists are attempting to build nuclear recators that work using fusion reactions. This is proving to be very difficult but would be much better as there would be no nuclear waste to dispose of

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Electricity

Author: Kev Woodward (PGCE, Science & Chemistry Teacher, Quiz Writer)