Fossil Fuels & Nuclear
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 1.2.1
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals. They take millions of years to form.
Fossil fuels
- Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals.
- They take millions of years to form.
- Fossil fuels are finite resources as they cannot be replaced as they run out.
Types of fossil fuels
- The three main types of fossil fuels are:
- Coal.
- Gas.
- Oil.
Advantages
- Advantages include:
- A small amount of fuel creates large amounts of energy.
- Fuel is very safe and stable to transport and use.
Disadvantages
- Disadvantages include:
- CO2 is produced when fossil fuels are burned which causes pollution and can contribute to global warming.
- The supply of fossil fuels is limited and as demand is increasing we will eventually run out.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is generated in nuclear power plants or stations where heat is created from fission in a nuclear reactor.
How it works
- A high energy source of heat is created.
- This heats water into steam.
- The steam drives a turbine.
- The turbine then generates electricity.
Advantages
- Advantages include:
- The process is clean and efficient.
- Power plants don’t need a lot of space.
- It is a reliable source of energy.
Disadvantages
- Disadvantages include:
- The waste that the process creates is radioactive.
- This creates serious damage to the environment and life forms if there is a leak.
- If there is a problem in the plant or station and the reactor explodes the effect is disastrous.
Test yourself on Fossil Fuels & Nuclear
Which of these energy sources is NOT a fossil fuel?
How Nuclear Power is Generated
Which drives the turbine to create electricity in a nuclear power plant?