MYP by Concept 4 & 5: Physics by Paul Morris

Author:Paul Morris [Morris, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4718-3934-4
Publisher: Hodder Education
Published: 2015-08-15T16:00:00+00:00

In a nuclear power station the stages in the energy-changing process are very similar to those in a thermal fuel power station, except that the heat is produced in a nuclear process rather than by chemical combustion. Nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gases, and some people consider that this makes it a good alternative to fuel combustion-based power production. However nuclear power is controversial for others who consider that the nature of nuclear fission, and the waste products it produces, mean that nuclear power has an environmental impact that is too high. We will look at the scientific evidence for these claims in greater detail in Chapter 11.

Renewable energy resources take their energy directly from the Sun’s radiated energy, from its effects on our climate, from the gravitational force of the Moon or from geological processes in the Earth. They are all used to produce electricity as the final output energy form. Table 8.1 summarizes some of these different methods of harnessing energy directly.

Table 8.1

Name Input(s) Process

hydroelectric power (HEP) gravitational potential energy kinetic energy (produced as water falls by gravitational force) drives turbines

tidal power gravitational potential energy kinetic energy (produced as sea water moves under Moon’s influence) drives turbines

wave power kinetic energy kinetic energy of sea waves (produced by the wind) drives turbines

solar thermal power infra-red energy directly from Sun Sun’s heat is gathered and focussed to heat water to steam to drive turbines

photovoltaic solar power energy directly from Sun Sun’s ultra-violet radiation is used to produce electrical energy in semiconductors

geothermal power heat energy from Earth heat produced in the Earth’s mantle is used to heat water and produce steam to drive turbines

wind power kinetic energy kinetic energy in wind is used to drive turbines

ACTIVITY: Burning up

ATL

• Critical-thinking skills: Analyse complex systems into their component parts and synthesize them to create new understanding

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