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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 those that cannot be replenished in a short period of time. They are finite resources, like fossil fuels, which are consumed faster than they can be naturally replaced. Once used, they cannot be replaced in a reasonable timeframe.
In contrast, renewable fuels can be produced continually or replenished within a short period. Examples include biofuels derived from plant materials or fuels generated through processes like electrolysis. When renewable fuels are used, they can be re-supplied relatively quickly, and therefore have less impact on long-term resource availability.
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, meaning it can be produced continuously, unlike petrol which is finite and takes a long time to form from crude oil.
- The crops used to produce bioethanol can regrow quickly, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Bioethanol reduces carbon emissions because carbon dioxide released when using it is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by growing crops.
- It burns more completely than petrol, potentially producing fewer pollutants.
Disadvantages of bioethanol include:
- It may not be readily available in all areas, with fewer filling stations compared to petrol.
- A significant amount of crops is required to produce sufficient bioethanol, which can stress food supplies.
- Some crops grown for bioethanol production can be less efficient and take longer to produce than the time required to gather petrol from crude oil.
- There are concerns about land use, as using farmland for biofuel crops could reduce the area available for food production.