This definitions covers Key Terms 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 6 of 13 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
Topic position
Section 6 of 13
Practice
15 questions
Recall
12 flashcards
📖 Key Terms
- Renewable energy resource
- A resource that is naturally replenished and will not run out (e.g. wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, wave, biofuel). Renewable resources generate energy with little or no CO₂ emissions during operation.
- Non-renewable energy resource
- A resource that will eventually run out because it cannot be replenished on a human timescale (e.g. coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear uranium). Fossil fuels release CO₂ when burned.
- Energy mix
- The combination of different energy sources used to meet a country's energy demand. A diverse energy mix improves energy security and can reduce environmental impact.
- Geothermal energy
- Energy extracted from heat stored inside the Earth, produced by radioactive decay in the crust and mantle. Used to generate electricity or heat buildings directly.
- Biofuel
- Fuel produced from organic (biological) material such as wood, crop residues, or purpose-grown energy crops. Considered approximately carbon neutral because CO₂ released during burning was absorbed during growth.
- Intermittent
- Not producing energy continuously — output varies with weather or time of day. Wind and solar are intermittent sources. This creates challenges for grid management.
- Baseload
- The minimum level of electricity demand that must be met at all times. Nuclear and gas power stations are used for baseload because they can generate reliably around the clock.