Year 8 - Science
Using renewable energy resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils learn about greenhouse gas emissions from transport and industry, and the use of renewable energy resources and changes to transport infrastructure that could reduce emissions.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how renewable energy resources can be used to generate electricity.
Key Notes
- Renewable energy resources will not run out because they are replenished more quickly than we use them up
- Electricity can be generated by spinning coils of wire in an electric generator with a turbine
- Turbines can be spun using falling water or wind
- Turbines can be spun using moving steam made by burning biomass, oil or gas
- Solar panels produce electricity without electric generators
Vocabulary To Learn
- electric generator: a machine that generates electricity when wire coils inside it are made to spin in a magnetic field
- turbine: a series of angled blades that turn electrical generators that produce electricity
- renewable resource: an energy resource that can be replenished as quickly as it is used so will not run out
- sustainable resource: a resource that can be replenished naturally and used with little or no negative impact on the environment
- non-renewable resource: a resource that cannot be replenished
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Biomass is a renewable energy resource because plants can be regrown.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
Renewable energy resources will not run out because they are replenished more quickly than we use them up. Electricity can be generated by spinning coils of wire in an electric generator with a turbine.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'electric generator'
a machine that generates electricity when wire coils inside it are made to spin in a magnetic field. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.
3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.
Mistake: Biomass is a renewable energy resource because plants can be regrown. Correction: Discuss the idea that renewable resources **will not** run out, whereas biomass **could** run out or be seriously depleted if it is not used sustainably.
More Lessons In This Unit
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