GCSE Physics ENERGY RESOURCES

To be learned Textbook reference

• how to describe energy transfers involving the
following forms of energy: chemical, heat, P1–2
electrical, sound, light, magnetic and nuclear, Q2 & 4, p 7
kinetic, potential (gravitational and strain).

Energy Forms

The table below lists some forms of energy; complete the missing
information on the resources that can supply the particular type of
energy:

Examples of
Energy Form Definition
Resources
Energy stored within a
Chemical substance that is released on
burning.
Energy possessed as a
Gravitational result of position in a
Potential gravitational field, e.g. height
above ground.
Energy possessed due to
Kinetic
movement.
Energy stored in the nucleus
Nuclear
of an atom.

Energy changes can be shown on an energy flow diagram. Complete

the flow charts to describe the energy transfer involved in each of the processes pictured
below:

Stored CHEMICAL Radiant HEAT energy.

energy in the head
of the match. Visible LIGHT energy.

CHEMICAL
energy in the
battery.

CHEMICAL
energy in the
muscles of the
archer.

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GCSE Physics ENERGY RESOURCES

Energy Resources

To be learned Textbook reference

• that there is a variety of energy
resources, to include, oil, gas,
coal, nuclear, biomass, wind,
wave, solar, geothermal, tidal and P3–4
hydroelectric Q 1,3,5 &6, p 7
• how to distinguish between
renewable and non-renewable
energy resources
• how energy resources such as
wind and fossil fuels are ultimately P8
dependent on the Sun’s energy

Energy resources can be divided into two

categories:

Renewable energy resources are those that

can be replenished on a time scale
appropriate to human use, e.g. within a human
life span.

Non-renewable are finite sources of energy. Once they have

been used they cannot be replaced on a time scale appropriate to
human use.

Presently most renewable energy sources are uneconomic

compared to fossil fuels.

Renewable Non-renewable
Wind Oil
Solar Coal
Tidal Gas
Wave Nuclear, e.g. uranium
Hydroelectric Geothermal
Biomass

Take each of the energy resources given below and complete the
table to provide a brief summary of the nature of the resource and
its origin – some sections have been completed for you:

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GCSE Physics ENERGY RESOURCES

Energy Nature Origin of Energy

Resource
COAL Fossil fuel: plant remains Sun via photosynthesis in plant
compressed under high leaves.
pressure and temperature
over millions of years.
OIL

GAS

URANIUM Nuclear fuel: naturally Atomic nucleus.

occurring element

WIND

SOLAR

TIDAL Rising and falling mass of Gravitational force of Moon doing

water due to tidal variation work on mass of water on Earth’s
during day. surface.

WAVE Convection currents in

Earth’s atmosphere.

HYDROELECTRIC Water falling through Heat from Sun evaporates water

significant height turning that falls as rain into rivers feeding
turbines. waterfalls or manmade dams.

BIOMASS Chemical energy from

crops such as sugar, maize
and a variety of other crops
and trees.
GEOTHERMAL

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GCSE Physics ENERGY RESOURCES

To be learned Textbook reference

the environmental implications of the
use of energy resources, limited to
generation of electricity by fossil fuels,
nuclear fuels, hydroelectric power,
wind farms, waves and tides.
P 5 – 6, P22 – 23 (greenhouse effect)
the effect on the environment of the
Q 7 – 15, p7 & 8
use of these energy resources,
limited to the contribution of burning
fossil fuels to greenhouse effect (brief
outline only), land/sea use and
nuclear waste.

Using energy resources to generate electricity; some possible

disadvantages:

• Emits SO2 (sulphur dioxide) and so can cause acid

rain.
Coal/oil/gas
• Emits CO2 (carbon dioxide) and so increases the
greenhouse effect.
• Limited fuel available.
• Nuclear waste has to be disposed of safely; waste
can remain radioactive for hundreds of years or even
Nuclear
longer.
• Limited fuel available.
• Risk of big accidents.
• Needs many large turbines, over a large area.
Wind • Needs sites with high wind speeds, the wind does
not blow every day; so unreliable.
• Sites may affect animal habitat.
• Impossible in flat regions.
Hydroelectric
• Can affect animal habitat; affects the environment of
the area.
Tidal • High tide required so only possible at some sites.
• Needs many large panels, over a large area.
Solar • Needs sites with good sunlight exposure, sunlight
sometimes blocked by cloud cover, so an unreliable
source.
• Harsh environment means equipment needs a lot of
Wave maintenance
• Unreliable as waves are generated by wind that
doesn’t blow consistently every day

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GCSE Physics ENERGY RESOURCES

Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming

Certain gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, such as water vapour

(H2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), act like a blanket
keeping the Earth’s heat in.

• Short-wavelength infra-red radiation from the sun passes

easily through the atmosphere and heats the Earth’s surface.
• The warmed Earth gives off heat in the form of long-
wavelength infrared radiation.
• Some of the long wavelength radiation escapes into space;
most of it is absorbed and re-emitted by the greenhouse gas
molecules in the atmosphere, causing the Earth’s surface
and lower atmosphere to heat up.

The greenhouse effect is essential to maintain a high enough

temperature to sustain life on Earth (cf Mars); however if the effect
becomes too pronounced, then the average temperature across
the planet could rise (global warming) to an extent that could
cause problems:

• Melting ice caps – damaging artic habitats; leading to rising

water levels worldwide
• Rising water levels could flood land presently inhabited by
humans and animals
• Rising temperatures could alter the crops that can be grown
in certain areas; some environments may become more
fertile others less so.

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GCSE Physics ENERGY RESOURCES

To be learned Textbook reference

the advantages and disadvantages of
using various energy resources to
generate electricity in terms of:
• reliability, how quickly the different
types of power station can
respond to changes in demand
• the costs of building, operating P5-6
and de-commissioning power
stations
• any additional information,
including quantitative information
e.g. regarding efficiency or cost,
that is provided.
Use the information available from earlier in this section of your notes and other sources, e.g.
your textbook or internet sites such as www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg to complete the table:

Reliability, e.g. ability to Costs of building, operating

Type of power
respond to changes in and de-commissioning
station
demand power stations

Coal/oil/gas

Nuclear

Wind

Hydroelectric

Tidal

Solar

Wave

Coal/oil/gas

Nuclear

Q 1 – 3 on page 29
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