# A coastal town is planning to install a tidal energy power station to generate electricity. Describe the energy transfers that take place from the water to the electrical energy output, and state one advantage and one disadvantage of using tidal energy compared to burning fossil fuels.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 4.3 Energy resources and electricity generation · Describe · 4 marks

> Tidal power stations use the movement of seawater driven by the gravitational pull of the Moon to generate electricity. The rising and falling tides cause water to flow through turbines.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The moving water has kinetic energy (which drives the turbines) / gravitational potential energy of water is converted to kinetic energy
2. Kinetic energy of the turbine is transferred to electrical energy (by the generator)
3. One advantage: tidal energy is a renewable resource / will not run out / does not produce greenhouse gases / does not cause global warming
4. One disadvantage: tidal energy is less reliable / only generates electricity when tides are flowing / is dependent on tidal cycles; OR the construction cost is higher than fossil fuel power stations

## Key terms

- [fossil fuels](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fossil-fuels)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-coastal-town-is-planning-to-93e6d771) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.