This comparison covers Energy Sources Compared within Energy Resources for GCSE Physics. Revise Energy Resources in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 13 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
⚖️ Energy Sources Compared
| Source | Renewable? | Reliability | CO₂ (operation) | Land / visual | Key disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coal | No | Very high | Very high | Mines, slag heaps | Most polluting; will run out |
| Natural gas | No | Very high | Medium | Pipelines, power stations | Still releases CO₂; finite |
| Nuclear | No (uranium) | Very high | Very low | Small footprint | Radioactive waste; costly |
| Wind | Yes | Low–medium | None | Large area; visual impact | Intermittent; noise |
| Solar | Yes | Low | None | Roof or farm | Only works in daylight |
| Hydroelectric | Yes | High | None | Flooded valleys | Habitat destruction; limited sites |
| Tidal | Yes | Very high | None | Coastal/estuary | Few suitable sites; ecosystem impact |
| Geothermal | Yes | Very high | Very low | Small footprint | Only viable in specific regions |
| Biofuel | Yes | High | Low–medium | Farmland required | Displaces food crops; particulates |
Practice questions for Energy Resources
Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?
Give two advantages and one disadvantage of using wind turbines to generate electricity.
Quick recall flashcards
What is a renewable energy resource?
A renewable energy resource is one that is naturally replenished and will not run out on a human timescale. Examples include wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, wave, and biofuel.
What does SHWGTB stand for? (Renewable energy sources)
S — Solar
H — Hydroelectric
W — Wind
G — Geothermal
T — Tidal
B — Biofuel
(Wave is sometimes added as a second W)