A coal-fired power station and a solar farm are both used to generate electricity. Compare the energy resources used by each, referring to whether each resource is renewable or non-renewable, and explain one environmental disadvantage of using coal as an energy resource.

WJEC GCSE Physics (Wales) — 1.2 Generating electricity · Compare · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Coal is a non‑renewable resource – it is finite and cannot be replenished while it is being used.
Solar energy is renewable – the sun’s radiation is continually available.
Coal combustion releases carbon dioxide (and sulphur dioxide) into the atmosphere.
The CO₂ contributes to global warming and climate change, and SO₂ causes acid rain.

Examiner tips

  • Use the words ‘non‑renewable’ and ‘renewable’ explicitly. Show the link between coal burning, CO₂ and climate change. Keep the answer short and to the point to fit the 4‑mark limit.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing renewable with non‑renewable; e.g. saying coal is renewable. Omitting the specific pollutant (CO₂ or SO₂). Failing to mention the environmental impact of the pollutant.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Coal is a non-renewable energy resource (it cannot be replenished whilst it is being used / it is a finite resource)
  2. Solar energy / sunlight is a renewable energy resource (it can be replenished whilst it is being used)
  3. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide (or other named pollutants such as sulfur dioxide) into the atmosphere
  4. This contributes to global warming / climate change / acid rain (linked to the named gas from the previous point)

Related

More Generating electricity questions

▶ Try answering this question with AI marking (free) →