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AQA GCSE Physics · 8463
AQA 8463 · National and global energy resources Check the specification (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
An energy resource is something from which useful energy can be obtained. Some resources are fuels, whereas others are natural processes or flows, such as sunlight, wind and moving water.
Energy resources can meet needs such as transport, heating and generating electricity. Here, the important task is to recognise and classify the resources themselves; detailed descriptions of how electricity is generated are not required.
The classification depends on what happens to the supply as it is used.
A renewable energy resource is one that is being, or can be, replenished as it is used. For example, crops for bio-fuel can be grown again, while sunlight, wind and moving water are continually renewed by natural processes.
A non-renewable energy resource is not replenished as quickly as it is used. Its available supply is finite, so continued use reduces the amount remaining. Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel belong to this group.
“Renewable” does not mean “always available”, nor does it automatically mean “harmless”. It describes replenishment rather than reliability or environmental impact.
The main energy resources classified by whether they can be replenished as they are used. Coal, oil and gas are separate examples of fossil fuels; all seven renewable resources are equal members of their group.
Fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas. They formed from the remains of organisms over millions of years. This formation is far slower than present-day extraction and use, so fossil fuels are non-renewable.
Nuclear fuel, such as uranium, releases energy in nuclear reactions. Uranium comes from finite deposits and is not replenished as it is used, so it is also non-renewable.
Nuclear fuel is not a fossil fuel. Fossil fuels and nuclear fuel are two different non-renewable groups.
Bio-fuel is fuel made from recently living material, such as crops, wood or biological waste. It is classified as renewable because replacement material can be grown.
Wind is moving air that can transfer energy to wind turbines.
Hydro-electricity uses energy from flowing water, usually water moving from a higher level to a lower level.
Geothermal energy is energy obtained from thermal energy inside the Earth.
Tidal energy uses the regular rise, fall and movement of seawater associated with the tides.
The Sun supplies energy through solar radiation. This can be used as an energy resource.
Water waves contain energy in the movement of water at the surface of seas and oceans.
Although hydro-electricity, tides and water waves all involve water, they are separate resources: hydro-electricity involves flowing water, tides involve the regular change and movement of the sea, and waves are movements of the water’s surface.
The non-renewable resources are:
The renewable resources are:
Always classify a resource according to replenishment—not according to whether it is natural, whether a turbine is involved or whether it is considered environmentally preferable.
Renewable does not mean continuously available or free from disadvantages.
Classify the resource, not the device: a wind turbine uses wind, so the energy resource is renewable.
Learn the complete groups: non-renewable resources are fossil fuels and nuclear fuel; the other named resources are renewable.
Do not say that renewable means “always available”. It means that the resource is being, or can be, replenished as it is used.
Treat coal, oil and gas as three separate examples of the single category “fossil fuels”.
Keep tides, water waves and hydro-electricity distinct: tides involve the regular rise and fall of the sea, waves are movements at the water’s surface, and hydro-electricity uses flowing water.
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Energy resource
A source of energy that can be used to meet needs such as transport, heating or generating electricity.
Renewable energy resource
An energy resource that is being, or can be, replenished as it is used.
Non-renewable energy resource
An energy resource that is not replenished as quickly as it is used and will eventually run out.
Fossil fuel
Coal, oil or natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years.
Bio-fuel
Fuel made from recently living material, such as plants or animal waste.
Nuclear fuel
Material used in nuclear reactions to release energy; fuels such as uranium are finite and therefore non-renewable.
Put your knowledge into practice — try past paper questions for Physics
Energy resource
A source of energy that can be used to meet needs such as transport, heating or generating electricity.
Renewable energy resource
An energy resource that is being, or can be, replenished as it is used.
Non-renewable energy resource
An energy resource that is not replenished as quickly as it is used and will eventually run out.
Fossil fuel
Coal, oil or natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years.
Bio-fuel
Fuel made from recently living material, such as plants or animal waste.
Nuclear fuel
Material used in nuclear reactions to release energy; fuels such as uranium are finite and therefore non-renewable.
Coal, oil and gas are three sibling examples of fossil fuels. Tides, water waves and hydro-electricity are three separate renewable resources. Classification depends on replenishment, not reliability or environmental impact.