Question 1

Which of the following facilities are needed to produce a plutonium A- bomb?

Accepted Answer

A)  enrichment plant 
B)  nuclear reactor 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  a fusion bomb 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  enrichment plant 
B)  nuclear reactor 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  a fusion bomb 
E)  All of the above. B

Question 2

When U.S. annual energy use and gross national product (GNP) are graphed, the two graphs rise at the same rate until the mid- east oil shocks of the 1970s, after which

Accepted Answer

A)  GNP keeps rising while energy use levels off due to global warming. 
B)  total energy use increases without a similar increase in GNP, because of increased oil imports. 
C)  GNP levels off while energy use keeps rising due to technological stagnation. 
D)  GNP keeps rising while energy use begins to level off due to increased energy efficiency. 
E)  energy use decreases due to declining fossil fuel supplies. 
A)  GNP keeps rising while energy use levels off due to global warming. 
B)  total energy use increases without a similar increase in GNP, because of increased oil imports. 
C)  GNP levels off while energy use keeps rising due to technological stagnation. 
D)  GNP keeps rising while energy use begins to level off due to increased energy efficiency. 
E)  energy use decreases due to declining fossil fuel supplies. D

Question 3

Which of the following is the best description of how a fluorescent bulb works?

Accepted Answer

A)  Electrons flow through the bulb, causing a chemical reaction in the gas atoms inside the bulb, which causes these atoms to emit light. 
B)  Electrons flow from one end of the bulb to the other, hitting gas atoms and causing them to emit light. 
C)  A gas fills the bulb and when the gas atoms strike the walls of the bulb the material in the wall emits light. 
D)  A gas flows from one end of the bulb to the other, and the gas atoms are energized by the electric field which causes the atoms to emit light. 
E)  Electrons flowing through the bulb get heated up within the bulb, and these electrons emit light. 
A)  Electrons flow through the bulb, causing a chemical reaction in the gas atoms inside the bulb, which causes these atoms to emit light. 
B)  Electrons flow from one end of the bulb to the other, hitting gas atoms and causing them to emit light. 
C)  A gas fills the bulb and when the gas atoms strike the walls of the bulb the material in the wall emits light. 
D)  A gas flows from one end of the bulb to the other, and the gas atoms are energized by the electric field which causes the atoms to emit light. 
E)  Electrons flowing through the bulb get heated up within the bulb, and these electrons emit light. B

Question 4

Which of the following best represents the energy transformations occurring in a coal- fired power plant?

Accepted Answer

A)  chemical ·thermal ·electric 
B)  gravitational ·thermal ·electric 
C)  chemical ·electric ·thermal 
D)  thermal ·chemical ·electric 
E)  electric ·thermal ·chemical 
A)  chemical ·thermal ·electric 
B)  gravitational ·thermal ·electric 
C)  chemical ·electric ·thermal 
D)  thermal ·chemical ·electric 
E)  electric ·thermal ·chemical

Question 5

In a nuclear reactor, the control rods must be able to

Accepted Answer

A)  remove the heat from the fissioning uranium. 
B)  absorb neutrons. 
C)  slow neutrons down without absorbing them. 
D)  absorb 235U. 
E)  absorb 238U. 
A)  remove the heat from the fissioning uranium. 
B)  absorb neutrons. 
C)  slow neutrons down without absorbing them. 
D)  absorb 235U. 
E)  absorb 238U.

Question 6

Which of these fuels are obtained from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oil 
B)  Coal 
C)  Natural gas 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  Oil 
B)  Coal 
C)  Natural gas 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 7

Which of the following represents a partial or total decarbonization of our energy supply?

Accepted Answer

A)  switching from coal to natural gas 
B)  switching from nuclear to hydrogen fuels 
C)  switching from natural gas to oil (petroleum) 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  switching from coal to natural gas 
B)  switching from nuclear to hydrogen fuels 
C)  switching from natural gas to oil (petroleum) 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 8

Which of the following can be classified as "heat engines":

Accepted Answer

A)  hydroelectric power plant 
B)  geothermal power plant 
C)  wind turbines 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  hydroelectric power plant 
B)  geothermal power plant 
C)  wind turbines 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 9

Which of the following represents a partial or total decarbonization of our energy supply?

Accepted Answer

A)  switching from oil (petroleum) to natural gas 
B)  switching from coal to natural gas 
C)  switching from natural gas to nuclear power 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  switching from oil (petroleum) to natural gas 
B)  switching from coal to natural gas 
C)  switching from natural gas to nuclear power 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 10

Suppose the main water pipe breaks in a nuclear power plant, shutting off the water flow. If the control rods fall immediately into place, stopping the chain reaction, is there still a problem?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, because the uranium can still fission even though it is not chain- reacting. 
B)  Yes, because the control rods stop only the fissioning of uranium and not the fissioning of plutonium. 
C)  Yes, because radioactivity continues to create lots of thermal energy. 
D)  No, because no heat can be created once the fission reaction is shut off. 
E)  No, because the small amount of heat that continues being created is not enough to cause any danger. 
A)  Yes, because the uranium can still fission even though it is not chain- reacting. 
B)  Yes, because the control rods stop only the fissioning of uranium and not the fissioning of plutonium. 
C)  Yes, because radioactivity continues to create lots of thermal energy. 
D)  No, because no heat can be created once the fission reaction is shut off. 
E)  No, because the small amount of heat that continues being created is not enough to cause any danger.

Question 11

Which of the following best represents the energy transformations occurring in a coal- fired power plant?

Accepted Answer

A)  electric ·thermal ·chemical 
B)  chemical ·electric ·thermal 
C)  thermal ·chemical ·electric 
D)  gravitational ·thermal ·electric 
E)  chemical ·thermal ·electric 
A)  electric ·thermal ·chemical 
B)  chemical ·electric ·thermal 
C)  thermal ·chemical ·electric 
D)  gravitational ·thermal ·electric 
E)  chemical ·thermal ·electric

Question 12

Consider the four U.S. non- renewable energy resources: gas, oil, coal, uranium without recycling for plutonium recovery. Assuming that we used each of these for a major portion of our energy needs, for which ones would domestic U.S. resources run out within some 50 years, and which ones does the United States have in much greater abundance?

Accepted Answer

A)  The United States has abundant supplies of all four of these resources. 
B)  The United States is running out of gas, oil, and uranium, but has abundant coal. 
C)  The United States is running out of gas, oil, and coal, but has abundant uranium. 
D)  The United States is running out of all four. 
E)  The United States is running out of gas and oil, but has abundant coal and uranium. 
A)  The United States has abundant supplies of all four of these resources. 
B)  The United States is running out of gas, oil, and uranium, but has abundant coal. 
C)  The United States is running out of gas, oil, and coal, but has abundant uranium. 
D)  The United States is running out of all four. 
E)  The United States is running out of gas and oil, but has abundant coal and uranium.

Question 13

The main drawback of coal as an energy resource is

Accepted Answer

A)  its contribution to the global warming. 
B)  the economics associated with the coal industry. 
C)  limited resources are available. 
D)  its contribution to acid rain. 
E)  its contribution to the ozone problem. 
A)  its contribution to the global warming. 
B)  the economics associated with the coal industry. 
C)  limited resources are available. 
D)  its contribution to acid rain. 
E)  its contribution to the ozone problem.

Question 14

Since natural gas creates carbon dioxide, why would it reduce global warming to switch from coal to natural gas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Actually, such a change would not reduce global warming. 
B)  Because electricity from natural gas plants would cost more and thus it would be used less. 
C)  Because natural gas plants produce a less polluting type of carbon dioxide. 
D)  Because mining is not needed in order to obtain natural gas. 
E)  Because natural gas uses less carbon per joule of energy than does coal. 
A)  Actually, such a change would not reduce global warming. 
B)  Because electricity from natural gas plants would cost more and thus it would be used less. 
C)  Because natural gas plants produce a less polluting type of carbon dioxide. 
D)  Because mining is not needed in order to obtain natural gas. 
E)  Because natural gas uses less carbon per joule of energy than does coal.

Question 15

During operation of a nuclear reactor, the 238U nuclei

Accepted Answer

A)  slow down the neutrons, thus improving the efficiency of the reactor. 
B)  are fissioned by the neutrons, thus releasing nuclear energy. 
C)  absorb neutrons, which causes them to turn into fissionable 235U. 
D)  absorb neutrons, which causes them to turn into plutonium. 
E)  absorb neutrons, which slows down the chain reaction and thus controls the reaction. 
A)  slow down the neutrons, thus improving the efficiency of the reactor. 
B)  are fissioned by the neutrons, thus releasing nuclear energy. 
C)  absorb neutrons, which causes them to turn into fissionable 235U. 
D)  absorb neutrons, which causes them to turn into plutonium. 
E)  absorb neutrons, which slows down the chain reaction and thus controls the reaction.

Question 16

Which of the following is a form of high- level nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

A)  used protective clothing that has been worn by some nuclear power plant workers 
B)  used water that has been circulating through the core of a reactor 
C)  used nuclear fuel rods 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  used protective clothing that has been worn by some nuclear power plant workers 
B)  used water that has been circulating through the core of a reactor 
C)  used nuclear fuel rods 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 17

Most of the following energy resources provide useful energy in the United States today. Which one does not?

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fusion 
B)  biomass 
C)  geothermal 
D)  nuclear fission 
E)  direct solar 
A)  nuclear fusion 
B)  biomass 
C)  geothermal 
D)  nuclear fission 
E)  direct solar

Question 18

If the nation's yearly total energy use and also the yearly gross national product [GNP] are graphed, the two graphs rise at the same rate until the mid- 1970s, but they diverge from each other after about 1973.This divergence of the graphs shows that

Accepted Answer

A)  as the price of goods and services decreases, energy use increases. 
B)  an increasing GNP causes energy use to also increase. 
C)  U.S. energy efficiency decreased after 1973, due to lower energy prices. 
D)  energy use increases when the nation's goods and services increase. 
E)  energy efficiency has played a large role in providing goods and services since 1973. 
A)  as the price of goods and services decreases, energy use increases. 
B)  an increasing GNP causes energy use to also increase. 
C)  U.S. energy efficiency decreased after 1973, due to lower energy prices. 
D)  energy use increases when the nation's goods and services increase. 
E)  energy efficiency has played a large role in providing goods and services since 1973.

Question 19

Three essential components of a nuclear reactor are: a fissionable fuel , control rods, and

Accepted Answer

A)  tritium to speed up the neutrons. 
B)  lead to stop the neutrons. 
C)  a radioactive substance to keep the reaction going. 
D)  a "scrubber" to prevent radioactive isotopes from getting into the environment. 
E)  a coolant to transfer the heat from the reactor to the turbine. 
A)  tritium to speed up the neutrons. 
B)  lead to stop the neutrons. 
C)  a radioactive substance to keep the reaction going. 
D)  a "scrubber" to prevent radioactive isotopes from getting into the environment. 
E)  a coolant to transfer the heat from the reactor to the turbine.

Question 20

Which of the following is a "non- renewable" resource?

Accepted Answer

A)  hydroelectric 
B)  wood 
C)  active solar heating 
D)  photovoltaic electricity 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  hydroelectric 
B)  wood 
C)  active solar heating 
D)  photovoltaic electricity 
E)  None of the above.

Which of the following facilities are needed to produce a plutonium A- bomb?

When U.S. annual energy use and gross national product (GNP) are graphed, the two graphs rise at the same rate until the mid- east oil shocks of the 1970s, after which

Which of the following is the best description of how a fluorescent bulb works?

Which of the following best represents the energy transformations occurring in a coal- fired power plant?

In a nuclear reactor, the control rods must be able to

Which of these fuels are obtained from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago?

Which of the following represents a partial or total decarbonization of our energy supply?

Which of the following can be classified as "heat engines":

Which of the following represents a partial or total decarbonization of our energy supply?

Suppose the main water pipe breaks in a nuclear power plant, shutting off the water flow. If the control rods fall immediately into place, stopping the chain reaction, is there still a problem?

Which of the following best represents the energy transformations occurring in a coal- fired power plant?

The main drawback of coal as an energy resource is

Since natural gas creates carbon dioxide, why would it reduce global warming to switch from coal to natural gas?

During operation of a nuclear reactor, the ²³⁸U nuclei

Which of the following is a form of high- level nuclear waste?

Most of the following energy resources provide useful energy in the United States today. Which one does not?

If the nation's yearly total energy use and also the yearly gross national product [GNP] are graphed, the two graphs rise at the same rate until the mid- 1970s, but they diverge from each other after about 1973.This divergence of the graphs shows that

Three essential components of a nuclear reactor are: a fissionable fuel , control rods, and

Which of the following is a "non- renewable" resource?

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

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Exam 16: The Energy Challenge

Which of the following facilities are needed to produce a plutonium A- bomb?

When U.S. annual energy use and gross national product (GNP) are graphed, the two graphs rise at the same rate until the mid- east oil shocks of the 1970s, after which

Which of the following is the best description of how a fluorescent bulb works?

Which of the following best represents the energy transformations occurring in a coal- fired power plant?

In a nuclear reactor, the control rods must be able to

Which of these fuels are obtained from the remains of plants and animals that died millions of years ago?

Which of the following represents a partial or total decarbonization of our energy supply?

Which of the following can be classified as "heat engines":

Which of the following represents a partial or total decarbonization of our energy supply?

Suppose the main water pipe breaks in a nuclear power plant, shutting off the water flow. If the control rods fall immediately into place, stopping the chain reaction, is there still a problem?

Which of the following best represents the energy transformations occurring in a coal- fired power plant?

The main drawback of coal as an energy resource is

Since natural gas creates carbon dioxide, why would it reduce global warming to switch from coal to natural gas?

During operation of a nuclear reactor, the 238U nuclei

Which of the following is a form of high- level nuclear waste?

Most of the following energy resources provide useful energy in the United States today. Which one does not?

If the nation's yearly total energy use and also the yearly gross national product [GNP] are graphed, the two graphs rise at the same rate until the mid- 1970s, but they diverge from each other after about 1973.This divergence of the graphs shows that

Three essential components of a nuclear reactor are: a fissionable fuel , control rods, and

Which of the following is a "non- renewable" resource?

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters

During operation of a nuclear reactor, the ²³⁸U nuclei