front 1 Although nuclear energy is considered a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, some scientists argue this does not support the claim that nuclear energy is renewable. Which of the following claims best supports the argument that nuclear energy is a nonrenewable energy source? | back 1 The uranium deposits on Earth are finite. |
front 2 Which of the following is a characteristic of nonrenewable energy sources that distinguishes them from renewable energy sources? | back 2 Nonrenewable energy sources typically take a longer time to replenish than renewable energy sources do. |
front 3 Which of the following explains why some energy sources are renewable? | back 3 Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption. |
front 4 Which of the following best describes the conditions under which peat is formed? | back 4 Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions. |
front 5 In an apartment building, exhaust from a gas-powered electrical generator is captured to produce hot water to heat a swimming pool. Which of the following is illustrated by this process? | back 5 Cogeneration |
front 6 Purity is a major factor in determining the type of coal used for energy. Which of the following types of coal are correctly paired with a description of its purity and common use? | back 6 Anthracite is considered the highest grade coal because it is almost pure carbon, and it is often used for domestic heating. |
front 7 How many BTUs were consumed in the United States in 2017 by consumers that used petroleum as a fuel source? | back 7 36 quadrillion BTUs |
front 8 A family of four lives in a three-bedroom house and uses an average of 900kWh of electricity per month. The family cools their house for three months during the summer with two window-unit air conditioners that each use 350kWh of electricity per month. Which of the following is the percentage of the family’s total annual electricity that is used to run the two air conditioners for the three summer months? | back 8 19.4% |
front 9 Which of the following correctly pairs a region with its percent increase in electricity demand between 2016 and 2040? | back 9 India; 227% |
front 10 Rock layer that must be rich in organic matter that was subjected to heat and pressure over time during the formation of oil and natural gas. | back 10 D |
front 11 Rock layer that must be porous and have enough permeability for fluid to move through the layer | back 11 C |
front 12 Rock layer that can be porous but must have very low to no permeability | back 12 B |
front 13 Which of the following describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity? | back 13 Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere. |
front 14 Which of the following best describes an environmental problem associated with hydrologic fracturing, or fracking? | back 14 Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater. |
front 15 Which of the following statements correctly explains the role of fossil fuels in the production of energy? | back 15 The combustion of fossil fuels heats water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine. |
front 16 Which of the following would be most likely to be used as a fuel source for electricity generation in the plant displayed in the diagram? | back 16 Uranium-235 |
front 17 Which of the following gases is released from the structure labeled C in the diagram? | back 17 Water vapor |
front 18 Which of the structures in the diagram is the site where the nuclear power plant accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl occurred? | back 18 A |
front 19 Throughout the world, especially the less-developed countries, burning wood or other biomass for heating or cooking in homes is common. One negative environmental impact of this practice is the production of particulates indoors, which can be a health hazard to humans. Which of the following describes the best strategy for mitigating this potential problem? | back 19 Installing effective ventilation systems in dwellings |
front 20 Which of the following best describes an advantage of burning biomass rather than burning fossil fuels in developing countries? | back 20 Biomass production is cheaper than fossil fuel extraction, making it more readily available for use. |
front 21 Which of the following is a drawback to using biofuels, such as ethanol, as a fuel source? | back 21 There is high energy investment in producing and processing the crops needed for ethanol production. |
front 22 If peak electricity use occurs around 2p.m. in the Los Angeles area and avoiding brownouts is more important to the installers of the PV panels than annual energy output, which of the following PV panel systems would be best to use in the area? | back 22 No tracking, tilted west |
front 23 Which of the following PV panel systems is least effective at producing energy? | back 23 No tracking, tilted east |
front 24 Which of the following statements is best supported by the data shown in the graph? | back 24 PV panels that can track the Sun and are constantly moving to always directly face the Sun produce the most electricity daily and annually. |
front 25 Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of geothermal energy production? | back 25 Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps. |
front 26 Which of the following statements about geothermal energy is accurate? | back 26 The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface. |
front 27 Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they | back 27 use the heat from Earth’s interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity and then can be pumped back into the ground |
front 28 Which of the following best describes the method of vehicle transport that is the most environmentally sustainable? | back 28 The use of a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells because there are no carbon emissions |
front 29 Which of the following best explains the process of electricity generation in a hydrogen fuel cell? | back 29 At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons flow in a circuit to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the hydrogen to produce water. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction. |
front 30 Which of the following best describes how the use of hydrogen fuel negatively impacts the environment? | back 30 The energy needed to produce the hydrogen fuel may come from fossil fuels, whose use contributes to ocean acidification and global climate change. |
front 31 An individual has been driving a passenger vehicle to work, averaging 60 miles a week in a car that averages 22 miles per gallon. The individual plans to purchase a hybrid vehicle that averages 50 miles per gallon. If the individual drives to work 50 weeks a year, how much gas will they save if they switch to a hybrid vehicle for their commute? | back 31 76 gallons |
front 32 Natural gas is often priced in units of dollars per therm. One therm equals 100,000 BTUs. A certain family uses 600 therms of energy to heat its home annually using a natural gas furnace that is 80 percent efficient. The family is considering replacing its current furnace with one that is 96 percent efficient. Assuming the cost of a therm is $0.30, which of the following would be the family's annual savings in the cost of home heating? | back 32 $28.80 |
front 33 In many parts of the United States, homeowners use a significant portion of their energy budget to heat their home in the winter. It has been determined that lowering a thermostat by 3°F in the winter can reduce the energy costs by about 10 percent in many homes. An individual homeowner lowers their thermostat by 3 degrees exactly halfway through the billing period. For the month that the thermostat was lowered, the heating bill was $95. How much money did the family save in the month in which they lowered the thermostat setting halfway through the billing period? | back 33 $5.00 |