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Known crude oil deposits are being used up - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 6
Known crude oil deposits are being used up. In the past, most of our fuels, such as petrol, have been obtained from crude oil. (a) Fuels such as those obtained from ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Known crude oil deposits are being used up - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 6 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain the difference between non-renewable and renewable fuels.
Answer
Non-renewable fuels are energy sources that cannot be replenished in a short timeframe. For example, fossil fuels like coal and oil take millions of years to form and, once depleted, cannot be quickly replaced. In contrast, renewable fuels are derived from natural processes that can be replenished sustainably. Examples include biofuels and hydrogen produced from electrolyzing water, which can be produced continuously and are always available as long as the necessary resources (like crops or sunlight) are present.
Step 2
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using bioethanol, instead of petrol, as a fuel for cars.
Answer
Advantages of bioethanol include:
- It is a renewable resource, which means it can be regenerated over time, unlike petrol derived from finite crude oil reserves.
- Using crops for bioethanol production can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and promote agricultural sustainability.
- When crops are grown for bioethanol, they absorb carbon dioxide, potentially mitigating climate change.
Disadvantages include:
- Bioethanol may be less readily available than petrol, leading to fewer filling stations.
- The production of bioethanol requires a significant amount of land that could be used for food crops, potentially affecting food supply.
- Some processes to create bioethanol may produce sulfur impurities, which can lead to environmental concerns.
- Vehicles may need modifications to run efficiently on bioethanol, which could incur additional costs.