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Solar cells and wind farms are both alternative sources of power.

Physics - Electricity from the Sun, Wind and Water (AQA)

Discover how sunlight, wind and moving water can generate electricity, and compare these renewable resources with fossil fuels in your GCSE Physics energy studies.

Explore the Topic →

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Fascinating Fact:

Wind turbines capture kinetic energy from moving air. Power rises sharply with wind speed since it scales with speed cubed.

In GCSE Science Physics, you compare how the Sun, wind and flowing water can be used to generate electricity. You also weigh up costs, reliability and environmental impacts of these resources.

Key Terms

Renewable energy: Energy from sources that are naturally replaced, such as sunlight, wind and moving water.
Solar cell: A device that directly converts energy from sunlight into electrical energy.
Hydroelectric power: Electricity generated when falling or flowing water turns turbines linked to generators.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What renewable energy sources do I need for GCSE Physics?

For GCSE Physics you should understand how solar, wind and hydroelectric power can generate electricity, and be able to compare them with non-renewable fossil fuel power stations.

How does a wind turbine generate electricity?

A wind turbine’s blades are turned by moving air. The rotor drives a generator, which converts the mechanical movement into electrical energy that can be supplied to homes and businesses.

Why are solar, wind and hydro power called renewable?

They are called renewable because the Sun keeps shining, winds keep blowing and water continues to flow, so these energy sources are constantly replenished and will not quickly run out.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which of the following would be a good source of electrical energy for a remote place?

A roof made from solar cells

A wind turbine

A hydroelectric system

All of the above

These are all good ways of providing electricity for remote locations. It is always best if several methods are used together so that there will always be electricity generated

2 .

Which system generates electricity directly from the Sun's radiation?

Hydroelectric power

Solar panels

Tidal power

Photovoltaic cells

This is another name for solar cells. It is easy to confuse solar cells with solar panels which produce hot water and not electricity

3 .

What term is used to describe energy resources that will always be available?

Renewable

Finite

Eco

Infinite

At some point in the future, fossil fuel supplies will be used up. They took millions of years to form and humans will have used them all up in a few hundred years

4 .

Which of the following describes the energy changes in a pumped storage hydroelectric system?

potential → kinetic → electrical

electrical → kinetic → potential → kinetic → electrical

chemical → potential → kinetic → electrical

chemical → potential → electrical → kinetic → electrical

Water is pumped to a higher reservoir using off-peak electricity that would otherwise be unused. The water can then be released at peak times to be sent through the national grid

5 .

Where does the energy for tidal power stations come from?

Other power stations

The gravitational attraction of the Sun and Moon

The wind

Ships passing by and creating waves

The tides are created by the gravitational attraction of the Sun and Moon on the oceans of the Earth. There is a high tide once every 12 hours

6 .

In photovoltaic cells on what does the amount of electricity produced depend??

The amount of electricity produced depends only on the light intensity

The amount of electricity produced depends only on the size of the photovoltaic cell

The amount of electricity produced depends on both the light intensity and size of the photovoltaic cell

The amount of electricity produced is the same whatever the light intensity and size of the photovoltaic cell

The brighter the light and the larger the cell, the more electricity is produced

7 .

What is the name given to the source of energy created by the burning of gas from decaying plant or animal waste?

Ecomass

Biomass

Thermalmass

Poogas

Not only is this a renewable energy resource, it also gets rid of waste in a useful way

8 .

Geothermal energy is obtained by using steam that comes from under the ground. Where does the heat energy come from that creates the steam?

From the Sun heating the ground

From fossil fuels that have been set alight by volcanoes underground

From radioactive decay deep inside the Earth

From earthquakes

As you go deeper into the Earth the the rocks get hotter. This heat comes from the decay of radioactive minerals deep inside the Earth

9 .

Choose the answer that contains the missing words in the correct order.

Convection _________ in the Earth's atmosphere give rise to the wind. These are created by ______ energy from the Sun warming up the surface of the Earth. Wind _________ have large blades that are connected to gears linked to a __________. The _________ energy of the wind is transferred into electrical energy.

cells, generator, turbines, heat, turning

circles, kinetic, turbines, generator, electrical

currents, heat, turbines, generator, kinetic

currents, light, generators, dynamo, chemical

Wind power can be traced back to the Sun and it is for that reason it is a renewable source of energy

10 .

Which energy source comes from the movement of sea water flowing through turbines to generate electricity?

Tidal power

Hydroelectric power

Wave power

Geothermal power

At high tide the dam is closed, trapping the water behind it. At low tide it is opened and the water behind the dam can flow back to the sea through the turbines, generating electricity

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

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