Non-Renewable Energy Resources

Front 1

What is a non-renewable energy resource?

Back 1

A non-renewable energy resource is one that cannot be effectively replaced once it has been used.

Front 2

How is electricity generated from non-renewable energy resources?

Back 2

Fossil fuels are burned to create heat, and nuclear fission also creates large amounts of heat. This heat is used to create steam from water, which turns turbines and a generator to produce electricity.

Front 3

Why are fossil fuels non-renewable?

Back 3

Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas. They were formed by the dead remains of plants or tiny animals underground by a process that took millions of years, so once we use them up it will be virtually impossible to replace them.

Front 4

How does burning fossil fuels affect the environment?

Back 4

When they are burned, they release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and causes global warming. In addition, most types of coal and oil contain sulphur, which is converted to sulphur dioxide and when released into the air causes acid rain.

Front 5

What is global warming?

Back 5

Global warming is when greenhouse gases rise into the atmosphere. They trap the heat of the Sun in the atmosphere and raise the average temperature of it. This causes changes to the climate and melting of the polar ice caps, damaging the environment.

Front 6

How does nuclear fuel produce electricity?

Back 6

A particular isotope of uranium is needed in nuclear reactors to create nuclear fuel. The nucleus splits to create heat energy, which heats the water, producing steam to turn the turbines and the generator. Nuclear fuel is a non-renewable energy resource.

Front 7

What are the + and - of nuclear fuel?

Back 7

+ Nuclear fuel is clean and the cost of electricity produced is very low.

- Power stations are expensive to build and maintain, and if accidents happen radioactive material released into the atmosphere can cause long-lasting damage to living things.