3.1.19

Other Non-Renewables

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Other Non-Renewables

As well as fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, there are other finite resources that are used to generate electricity.

Illustrative background for BiomassIllustrative background for Biomass ?? "content

Biomass

  • Biomass or biological mass/matter is from organic material.
  • The biomass is burnt to provide energy.
  • Positives:
    • Cheap and is carbon neutral.
    • Carbon neutral means there is no net increase in the amount of carbon dioxide released.
    • The carbon that the plant material absorbed in photosynthesis is released over a short space of time.
  • Negatives:
    • If plant material is not replanted, then the method is non-renewable and not sustainable.
    • Deforestation.
Illustrative background for Nuclear power stations (1)Illustrative background for Nuclear power stations (1) ?? "content

Nuclear power stations (1)

  • Nuclear power stations use uranium as an energy source.
  • The nuclear fission of uranium generates heat that produces electricity.
  • Nuclear fission is the splitting apart of atoms.
    • Uranium is mined from the ground.
Illustrative background for Nuclear power stations (2)Illustrative background for Nuclear power stations (2) ?? "content

Nuclear power stations (2)

  • Positives:
    • Only a small amount of nuclear fuel is needed to produce a lot of energy. 1kg of uranium can produce 3,000,000 times more energy than coal.
    • Does not produce carbon dioxide.
  • Negatives:
    • Nuclear waste.
    • Nuclear accidents.
    • High cost of building and decommissioning (stopping the power station from operating and dismantling it).

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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