(d) list renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

(e) describe the processes by which energy is converted from one form to another, including
reference to
(1) chemical/fuel energy (a re-grouping of atoms),
(2) hydroelectric generation (emphasising the mechanical energies involved),
(3) solar energy (nuclei of atoms in the Sun),
(4) nuclear energy,
(5) geothermal energy,
(6) wind energy.

Fuel energy involves reduction-oxidation chemical reactions that generate heat
(exothermic), that heat is then converted to mechanical energy using a working fluid
passing through some machine which in turn powers an alternator (or generator) which
converts mechanical energy to electrical energy to keep my computer running.

Hydroelectric generation converts gravitational potential energy intokinetic
energy (moving water) which is converted into mechanical energy by a turbine which
spins an alternator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

S.No
Type of
Energy
Renewable/
Non-
Renewable
Form of
Energy
Conversion
Advantages Disadvantages
1
Wind
Main Source: Sun
Renewable
Kinetic to
Electrical
1-renewable.
2-No CO2 pollution.
3-Very cheap Electricity after
few years.
1-Expensive at installation time.
2-Dangerous for birds.
3-Visual and Noise pollution for
large production.
2 Water Renewable
GPE to
Electrical
1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap Electricity
after few years.
1-Expensive at installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for large
production.
3
Geothermal
Resource
Renewable
Thermal to
Electrical
1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap Electricity
after few years.
1-Expensive at installation time.
2-Not available everywhere.
4
Solar Heating
Systems
Renewable
Light to
Thermal
1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
1-Expensive at installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3- If there is no Sun it won't work.
S.No
Type of
Energy
Renewable/
Non-
Renewable
Form of Energy
Conversion
Advantages Disadvantages
5 Solar Cells Renewable Light to Electrical
1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap
Electricity after few
years.
1-Expensive at
installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for
large production.
6
Fossil
Fuels
Renewable Chemical to Electrical
1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap
Electricity after few
years.
1-Expensive at
installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for
large production.
7
Nuclear
Power
Renewable
Nuclear Potential Energy
to Thermal + Kinetic
1-renewable.
2- No CO2 pollution.
3- Very cheap
Electricity after few
years.
1-Expensive at
installation time.
2-Dangerous for wildlife.
3-Visual pollution for
large production.
Try following question

(f) explain nuclear fusion and fission in terms of energy releasing processes.
Fission: Splitting of atom is called fission. Atoms store large amount of energy-- just like
stretched catapult!. Which upon its release return stored energy.
Similiarly, when atoms are split they release a large amount of energy in the form of heat and
light.
Fusion: Fusion is opposite of fission i.e. you join atoms together.
When atoms are joined they require a large amount of energy to let it happen. As you need
cement, water and labor to join bricks together. When you have supplied required energy and
when atoms are joined they store that energy in themhowever, while storing energy they
kind of vomit energy out as well. So in every fusion process energy is released in the form of
heat and light.
(g) describe the process of electricity generation and draw a block
diagram of the process from fuel input to electricity output.


(h) discuss the environmental issues associated with power generation.
As discussed in the advantages and disadvantages in table given.
(j) calculate the efficiency of an energy conversion using the formula efficiency =
energy converted to the required form/total energy input.
(k) discuss the efficiency of energy conversions in common use, particularly those giving
electrical output.
(l) discuss the usefulness of energy output from a number of energy conversions.


The key to understand the efficiency concept is to understand the concept of useful
energy and input energy.
The amount of energy that is put into the system is called Input Energy. For example,
the amount of fuel that is poured into the cars tank is the input chemical energy.
The useful output energy that we need from chemical energy is movement energy (we
need car to move), light energy (head lights etc) and Sound energy (horn). However,
Heat is not useful energy and therefore called waste energy.
Unfortunatley, in any process some amount of undesirabel energy is always produced.
This is called waste energy.
Efficiency is defined as the ability of any device or process to transform maximum
amount of input energy into useful form.
Useful energy is different for different system e.g.; for light bulb the useful energy is light
not heat, for bicycle its the movement energy, for horn it is the sound energy.
Look at the following diagram.





Try question on following page




(b) The lamp is of 100 W and is only 5% efficient. What does this mean?
.......................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................... (2)
Solution:
(a) Electrical to light & heat
(b) That only 5 J of Electrical energy is converted into Light. Rest is wasted into heat.