AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
The main energy resources available for use on Earth include: fossil fuels…
Full specification wording
National and global energy resources: The main energy resources available for use on Earth include: fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), nuclear fuel, bio-fuel, wind, hydro- electricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves.
Learn the list, because questions expect the exact resources named: fossil fuels, meaning coal, oil and gas; nuclear fuel; bio-fuel; wind; hydroelectricity; geothermal; the tides; the Sun; and…
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 5
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Learn the list, because questions expect the exact resources named: fossil fuels, meaning coal, oil and gas; nuclear fuel; bio-fuel; wind; hydroelectricity; geothermal; the tides; the Sun; and water waves. Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel are finite, so they are non-renewable, while the rest are replenished as they are used. They are not interchangeable in practice: fossil fuels dominate transport and heating, nuclear and fossil fuels give reliable electricity on demand, and wind, solar and waves depend on the weather. Burning fossil fuels and bio-fuels releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming; coal and oil also release sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain. Nuclear fuel releases no carbon dioxide but leaves radioactive waste.
What earns the marks
- Naming a resource from the specification list rather than a vague category.
- Classifying that resource correctly as renewable or non-renewable.
- Stating a use, such as transport, electricity generation or heating.
- A correct environmental consequence, such as carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Writing electricity or batteries as an energy resource, when they are ways of transferring or storing energy.
Treating bio-fuel as producing no carbon dioxide when burned.
Calling nuclear fuel renewable because there is a lot of uranium.
Confusing tidal and wave power, which are driven by different things.
Exam tips
- Use the specification names, since coal, oil and gas score where fossil fuels alone may not in a name one question.
- Where a question mentions carbon dioxide, fossil fuels for electricity generation and transport are the two big sources to discuss.
- Keep hydroelectricity, tides and waves distinct in your answer; the examiner treats them as separate resources.
Try the lesson
The start of the National and global energy resources: The main energy resources available for use on Earth include: fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), nuclear fuel, bio-fuel, wind, hydro- electricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following is a fossil fuel used as an energy resource on Earth?
Listen
Learn the list, because questions expect the exact resources named: fossil fuels, meaning coal, oil and gas; nuclear fuel; bio-fuel; wind; hydroelectricity; geothermal; the tides; the Sun; and water waves. Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel are finite, so they are non-renewable, while the rest are replenished as they are used. They are not interchangeable in practice: fossil fuels dominate transport and heating, nuclear and fossil fuels give reliable electricity on demand, and wind, solar and waves depend on the weather. Burning fossil fuels and bio-fuels releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming; coal and oil also release sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain. Nuclear fuel releases no carbon dioxide but leaves radioactive waste. A strong answer earns marks for these points. naming a resource from the specification list rather than a vague category. classifying that resource correctly as renewable or non-renewable. stating a use, such as transport, electricity generation or heating. a correct environmental consequence, such as carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. Exam tip: Use the specification names, since coal, oil and gas score where fossil fuels alone may not in a name one question.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
fossil fuels
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
nuclear fuel
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
renewable
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
non-renewable
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- fossil fuels
- Coal, oil and gas, which are finite and so non-renewable, and which dominate transport and heating.
- nuclear fuel
- A finite, non-renewable resource that gives reliable electricity on demand and releases no carbon dioxide but leaves radioactive waste.
- renewable
- Describes resources such as bio-fuel, wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves, which are replenished as they are used.
- non-renewable
- Describes fossil fuels and nuclear fuel, which are finite rather than replenished as they are used.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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Test your understanding of National and global energy resources: The main energy resources available for use on Earth include: fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas), nuclear fuel, bio-fuel, wind, hydro- electricity, geothermal, the tides, the Sun and water waves.
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