170 likes | 186 Views
OCR Cambridge National in Science (Level 1 / 2). R071 How scientific ideas have an impact on our lives Module 1: Using Energy.
E N D
OCR Cambridge National in Science (Level 1 / 2) R071 How scientific ideas have an impact on our lives Module 1: Using Energy
The world needs electrical power to progress and develop. Over 80% of this power comes from power stations burning fossil fuels or from nuclear power stations that run on radioactive fuel.
Burning fossil fuels produces CO2 which is released into the atmosphere. Could this be contributing to global warming?
Do you think that our climate is changing due to global warming?
Is global warming causing extreme weather such as: Droughts which cause crops to fail Floods which devastate communities More frequent extreme weather events
sustainability efficiency environmental effects economic costs If we do need to find alternative energy resources to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels we need to consider: ease of use
To make energy choices we need to measure energy transfers and calculate efficiency.
What could be the answer? Perhaps… Wind energy Solar energy Hydro-energy Energy from burning carbon-neutral biomass
Will nuclear power be part of that answer? The Government believes it will be. The UK has signed-up to reduce the emissions of CO2 and, by 2050, virtually all of the UK’s electricity will need to come from low-carbon sources and nuclear power may help achieve this target.
Nuclear energy does not produce CO2, but there is the potential for disaster. Think of Chernobyl and Fukushima. Is living with the risk too high a price to pay?
Nuclear radiation can be dangerous. Should we be using it to produce electricity? Are there other beneficial uses for nuclear radiation?
Nuclear radiation is also used in industry in fire alarms and even measuring the thickness of paper. Dangerous nuclear and electromagnetic radiations help doctors to see inside our bodies, and to treat cancer. How do we balance the risk of nuclear radiation against the benefits?
But what will be the right energy source to use? They all have disadvantages as well as advantages. There are people who say…. We all have a choice but it will only be the right choice if it is a properly informed choice. Not in my backyard
In this unit you will … Evaluate the risks and benefits of using nuclear radiation Communicate scientific ideas to the public Measure energy transfers and calculate efficiency Make choices about future energy supplies
Thank you for using this OCR resource Other OCR resources are available at www.ocr.org.uk To give us feedback on, or ideas about, the OCR resources you have used e-mail resourcesfeedback@ocr.org.uk