Question 1

What feature do tidal energy, geothermal energy, and ocean thermal energy have in common?

Accepted Answer

A) They are location specific. 
B) They all have the same ultimate power source. 
C) They are all high power output systems. 
D) They are all inexpensive to setup. 
E) all of the above 
A) They are location specific. 
B) They all have the same ultimate power source. 
C) They are all high power output systems. 
D) They are all inexpensive to setup. 
E) all of the above

Question 2

How are the greenhouse effect and passive solar heating related?

Accepted Answer

A) A material that reflects infrared light can be used to heat water. 
B) A material that absorbs UV light can be used to heat water. 
C) A material that absorbs infrared light can be used to heat water. 
D) A material with a lot of ozone can be used to heat water. 
E) all of the above 
A) A material that reflects infrared light can be used to heat water. 
B) A material that absorbs UV light can be used to heat water. 
C) A material that absorbs infrared light can be used to heat water. 
D) A material with a lot of ozone can be used to heat water. 
E) all of the above

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Dams have the highest efficiency of any power production. 
B) Dams have no negative environmental impact. 
C) Dams are the most widely used power source in the U.S. 
D) Most dams in the U.S. are used for power production. 
E) all of the above 
A) Dams have the highest efficiency of any power production. 
B) Dams have no negative environmental impact. 
C) Dams are the most widely used power source in the U.S. 
D) Most dams in the U.S. are used for power production. 
E) all of the above

Question 4

Which of the following methods can produce a net output of fusion energy?

Accepted Answer

A) using a fission reaction to generate the heat needed to start a fusion reaction 
B) using lasers to crush and fuse fuel pellets 
C) using very strong magnetic fields to contain star-hot atoms 
D) using electromagnetic compression waves to detonate fuel pellets 
E) none of the above 
A) using a fission reaction to generate the heat needed to start a fusion reaction 
B) using lasers to crush and fuse fuel pellets 
C) using very strong magnetic fields to contain star-hot atoms 
D) using electromagnetic compression waves to detonate fuel pellets 
E) none of the above

Question 5

How might solar heat be most efficiently used to generate colder temperatures?

Accepted Answer

A) This is a trick question and is not possible. 
B) Use the solar heat to evaporate water. As the water evaporates, the temperature drops. 
C) Use the solar heat to generate electricity, which drives a device that lowers the temperature. 
D) Use the solar heat to inflate a balloon. Release the balloon and the temperature of the air escaping the balloon drops. 
A) This is a trick question and is not possible. 
B) Use the solar heat to evaporate water. As the water evaporates, the temperature drops. 
C) Use the solar heat to generate electricity, which drives a device that lowers the temperature. 
D) Use the solar heat to inflate a balloon. Release the balloon and the temperature of the air escaping the balloon drops.

Question 6

How many watts are in one megawatt?

Accepted Answer

A) 1 million 
B) 1 thousand 
C) 10 thousand 
D) 1 hundred 
E) Watt was the question? 
A) 1 million 
B) 1 thousand 
C) 10 thousand 
D) 1 hundred 
E) Watt was the question?

Question 7

Why are countries teaming up to develop nuclear fusion energy?

Accepted Answer

A) so that no one country will have total control over fusion technology 
B) to pool financial and intellectual resources 
C) to beat the clock before fossil fuels run out 
D) all of the above 
A) so that no one country will have total control over fusion technology 
B) to pool financial and intellectual resources 
C) to beat the clock before fossil fuels run out 
D) all of the above

Question 8

What is a meant by a sustainable energy source?

Accepted Answer

A) any energy source that is renewable and has few negative effects 
B) an energy source that can sustain a high power output 
C) an energy source that will pollute the environment 
D) an energy source that can satisfy all of the global power needs 
E) none of the above 
A) any energy source that is renewable and has few negative effects 
B) an energy source that can sustain a high power output 
C) an energy source that will pollute the environment 
D) an energy source that can satisfy all of the global power needs 
E) none of the above

Question 9

Why is nuclear fusion not currently a viable power source?

Accepted Answer

A) The temperatures required to sustain the reactions are too high. 
B) The fuels are very scarce. 
C) Fusion is not possible on Earth. 
D) The amount of energy that is put into the machine is too low to produce fusion. 
E) none of the above 
A) The temperatures required to sustain the reactions are too high. 
B) The fuels are very scarce. 
C) Fusion is not possible on Earth. 
D) The amount of energy that is put into the machine is too low to produce fusion. 
E) none of the above

Question 10

Which of the following fossil fuels is the hardest to handle?

Accepted Answer

A) petroleum 
B) coal 
C) natural gas 
D) methane hydrate 
E) All of the above have the same difficulties. 
A) petroleum 
B) coal 
C) natural gas 
D) methane hydrate 
E) All of the above have the same difficulties.

Question 11

How can fossil fuels be considered a form of solar energy?

Accepted Answer

A) Solar energy can be used to extract them from the ground. 
B) They burn at temperatures approaching the surface of the sun. 
C) They are made from photosynthetic plants. 
D) Most fossil fuels come from desert regions of our planet. 
A) Solar energy can be used to extract them from the ground. 
B) They burn at temperatures approaching the surface of the sun. 
C) They are made from photosynthetic plants. 
D) Most fossil fuels come from desert regions of our planet.

Question 12

A disadvantage of tidal power is that electricity is generated only when tides are coming in or going out. How might a tidal electric power plant be outfitted so as to be able to provide a continuous supply of electricity?

Accepted Answer

A) Build a large reservoir to collect both high and low tides. 
B) Store the electricity in a series of large batteries. 
C) The electricity can be stored as hydrogen formed through electrolysis. 
D) All of the above have some merit. 
A) Build a large reservoir to collect both high and low tides. 
B) Store the electricity in a series of large batteries. 
C) The electricity can be stored as hydrogen formed through electrolysis. 
D) All of the above have some merit.

Question 13

Which of the following direct solar power collection methods is the most inexpensive?

Accepted Answer

A) wind power harvesting 
B) solar thermal electric power harvesting 
C) photovoltaic cells 
D) all of the above 
E) only A and B 
A) wind power harvesting 
B) solar thermal electric power harvesting 
C) photovoltaic cells 
D) all of the above 
E) only A and B

Question 14

Where does the electrical energy from hydroelectric dams ultimately come from?

Accepted Answer

A) solar radiation 
B) the soil 
C) wind energy 
D) nuclear fission 
E) none of the above 
A) solar radiation 
B) the soil 
C) wind energy 
D) nuclear fission 
E) none of the above

Question 15

You order a 2 kW system of photovoltaic cells to be install on the roof of your house. The cells are guaranteed to last at least 25 years. The cells plus installation plus electrical equipment will cost you $20,000 if you buy now, but $10,000 if you wait ten years. The average cost of electricity from your utility is 10 cents per kilowatt hour. What else do you need to know in order to calculate the amount of money you will have spent within 25 years going with either plan?

Accepted Answer

A) You need to know the average number of kilowatt-hours you consume each year. 
B) You need to know whether your utility company is willing and able to purchase any excess electricity you produce. 
C) You may need to know the cost of additional storage batteries should you need to store your excess harvested electrical energy. 
D) You may need to know all of the above. 
A) You need to know the average number of kilowatt-hours you consume each year. 
B) You need to know whether your utility company is willing and able to purchase any excess electricity you produce. 
C) You may need to know the cost of additional storage batteries should you need to store your excess harvested electrical energy. 
D) You may need to know all of the above.

Question 16

In 2010, the world's leading producer of ethanol was ________.

Accepted Answer

A) Brazil 
B) the Pacific Ocean 
C) the United States 
D) China 
E) Nigeria 
A) Brazil 
B) the Pacific Ocean 
C) the United States 
D) China 
E) Nigeria

Question 17

Which of the following is not one of the ultimate sources of power in water-based renewable energy systems?

Accepted Answer

A) the troposphere 
B) the sun 
C) the earth's hot interior 
D) the moon 
E) All of the above are power sources. 
A) the troposphere 
B) the sun 
C) the earth's hot interior 
D) the moon 
E) All of the above are power sources.

Question 18

What is the main advantage of geothermal power?

Accepted Answer

A) It is as cheap as fossil fuels. 
B) The water is pure. 
C) The heat can be used directly to power cars. 
D) none of the above 
E) a and b only 
A) It is as cheap as fossil fuels. 
B) The water is pure. 
C) The heat can be used directly to power cars. 
D) none of the above 
E) a and b only

Question 19

If a 100 watt light bulb burns for 60 minutes, how many joules of energy are consumed?

Accepted Answer

A) 360,000 
B) 360 
C) 60 
D) 6.000 
E) 600 
A) 360,000 
B) 360 
C) 60 
D) 6.000 
E) 600

Question 20

Where was the first major application of photovoltaic cells?

Accepted Answer

A) the space program 
B) desert race cars 
C) portable calculators 
D) remote communication facilities 
E) none of the above 
A) the space program 
B) desert race cars 
C) portable calculators 
D) remote communication facilities 
E) none of the above

What feature do tidal energy, geothermal energy, and ocean thermal energy have in common?

How are the greenhouse effect and passive solar heating related?

Which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following methods can produce a net output of fusion energy?

How might solar heat be most efficiently used to generate colder temperatures?

How many watts are in one megawatt?

Why are countries teaming up to develop nuclear fusion energy?

What is a meant by a sustainable energy source?

Why is nuclear fusion not currently a viable power source?

Which of the following fossil fuels is the hardest to handle?

How can fossil fuels be considered a form of solar energy?

A disadvantage of tidal power is that electricity is generated only when tides are coming in or going out. How might a tidal electric power plant be outfitted so as to be able to provide a continuous supply of electricity?

Which of the following direct solar power collection methods is the most inexpensive?

Where does the electrical energy from hydroelectric dams ultimately come from?

In 2010, the world's leading producer of ethanol was ________.

Which of the following is not one of the ultimate sources of power in water-based renewable energy systems?

What is the main advantage of geothermal power?

If a 100 watt light bulb burns for 60 minutes, how many joules of energy are consumed?

Where was the first major application of photovoltaic cells?

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Exam 17: Capturing Energy

What feature do tidal energy, geothermal energy, and ocean thermal energy have in common?

How are the greenhouse effect and passive solar heating related?

Which of the following statements is true?

Which of the following methods can produce a net output of fusion energy?

How might solar heat be most efficiently used to generate colder temperatures?

How many watts are in one megawatt?

Why are countries teaming up to develop nuclear fusion energy?

What is a meant by a sustainable energy source?

Why is nuclear fusion not currently a viable power source?

Which of the following fossil fuels is the hardest to handle?

How can fossil fuels be considered a form of solar energy?

A disadvantage of tidal power is that electricity is generated only when tides are coming in or going out. How might a tidal electric power plant be outfitted so as to be able to provide a continuous supply of electricity?

Which of the following direct solar power collection methods is the most inexpensive?

Where does the electrical energy from hydroelectric dams ultimately come from?

In 2010, the world's leading producer of ethanol was ________.

Which of the following is not one of the ultimate sources of power in water-based renewable energy systems?

What is the main advantage of geothermal power?

If a 100 watt light bulb burns for 60 minutes, how many joules of energy are consumed?

Where was the first major application of photovoltaic cells?

About Science

Particles of Matter

Elements of Chemistry

Subatomic Particles

The Atomic Nucleus

How Atoms Bond

How Molecules Mix

How Water Behaves

How Chemicals React

Acids and Bases in Our Environment

Oxidations and Reductions Charge the World

Organic Compounds

Nutrients of Life

Medicinal Chemistry

Optimizing Food Production

Protection Water and Air Resources

Filters