GCSE Questions: Energy Sources
Q1. There is an increasing demand for electricity and the reserve of fossil fuels is decreasing. A way to meet increasing demand for electricity is to build new nuclear power stations. Some people feel that no new nuclear power stations should be built because of the risks associated with nuclear fuels.
(a) Outline the arguments that a scientist working in the nuclear power industry could use to justify the building of more nuclear power stations in the future. (3 marks)
any three from: 
produces a lot of energy for a
small mass of fuel or is a
concentrated energy source
it is reliable in that it can constantly generate electricity
it produces no pollutant gases (such as sulphur dioxide (acid rain polluter) or carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas)
produces only a small volume of
(solid) waste
advances in technology will make
fuel reserves last much longer
(b) Nuclear waste is a problem that must be dealt with. One possible solution would be to bury the waste deep underground. Suggest one reason why some people are against burying nuclear waste. (1 mark)
Any one from:
may leak into the ground/environment - 'damages the environment' was considered too vague
geological changes may make it leak - earthquakes etc
may get into the food chain via water courses
over time if location not correctly recorded it may be excavated
(c) Electricity can also be generated using renewable energy sources. Look at this information from a newspaper report.
Suggest why, apart from the declining reserves of fossil fuels, power companies should use more bio-fuels and less fossil fuels to generate electricity. (3 marks)
Any three from:
overall bio-fuels add no carbon dioxide to the environment (part of the carbon cycle) as they do not add to global warming - they are carbon neutra
opportunity to grow new type crop for farmers
more jobs in farming industry
more land cultivated or different types of land utilised e.g. growing plants in swamps
extends the life of fossil fuel reserve
(Total 7 marks)
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No mark if you say 'no pollution'. 
