Year 5 - Geography
Renewable sources of energy
Energy: how do we power the world?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit explores how energy is produced and used, and how this links to climate change. Pupils compare renewable and non-renewable sources, consider how energy use can be reduced, and evaluate different responses to the world's growing energy demands.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify the advantages and disadvantages of renewable sources of energy, and form an opinion about their relative merits.
Key Notes
- Renewable sources of energy include solar, wind, wave and tidal energy, biomass, hydro-electric and geothermal energy.
- Different forms of renewable energy have advantages and disadvantages.
- Renewable energy sources can contribute to reducing carbon emissions.
- Some countries like Iceland and Costa Rica get nearly all their energy from renewable sources.
Vocabulary To Learn
- renewable energy: Renewable energy is sources of energy that can be re-used and will not be used up or run out.
- carbon emissions: Carbon emissions are the release of carbon into the air and atmosphere around us.
- hydro-electric: Hydro-electric power generates electricity by using water.
- biomass: Biomass is organic (natural) material that can be used as fuel.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Renewable energy sources are 'free'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Renewable sources of energy include solar, wind, wave and tidal energy, biomass, hydro-electric and geothermal energy. Different forms of renewable energy have advantages and disadvantages.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'renewable energy'
Renewable energy is sources of energy that can be re-used and will not be used up or run out.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Renewable energy sources are 'free'. Correction: There are significant costs involved in setting up and maintaining renewable sources of energy.
More Lessons In This Unit
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