Use the simulation in your science or Physics class to illustrate renewable and non renewable energy resources
This simulation helps GCSE Physics students understand the key difference between renewable and non-renewable energy sources — that renewable sources are naturally replenished while non-renewable sources will eventually run out.
Two panels sit side by side, each showing a category of energy source. Students can read the sources listed in each panel, then press Simulate Energy Demand to watch what happens over time. The renewable availability bar dips slightly but quickly stabilises near 100%, reflecting the fact that these sources are continuously replenished by natural processes. The non-renewable bar depletes steadily to zero, and a warning message appears when reserves are nearly exhausted. Students can pause, resume, and reset at any point.
The pros and cons listed in each panel directly reflect GCSE specification language — advantages and challenges for both categories are presented concisely for easy comparison.
This supports the following GCSE Physics specification points across AQA, OCR, and Edexcel:
- Renewable energy resources will not run out — they are replenished by natural processes
- Non-renewable energy resources will eventually run out as they are finite
- Renewable sources include solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal
- Non-renewable sources include coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel
- Students should be able to compare the advantages and disadvantages of different energy resources, including reliability, environmental impact, and sustainability
- The burning of fossil fuels releases CO₂, contributing to climate change and global warming