Deck 8: Freshwater

Question 1

Instead of only generating more electricity, rising energy demands may also be met by .

A) increasing the efficiency of energy consumption
B) switching from coal and natural gas to windmills and solar technologies
C) switching from natural gas to coal
D) using more nuclear power instead of fossil fuels

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Examine the changes in electrical demand in the United States. The daily drop in electrical consumption is most closely associated with .

A) home heating and cooling systems
B) daytime activities that consume little energy
C) people sleeping
D) people heading off to work

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Both a hydroelectric power plant and a fossil fuel power plant require _ in order to generate electricity.

A) a water pump
B) fuel
C) steam
D) a turbine

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The early Industrial Revolution primarily relied on fossil fuels to .

A) run gasoline engines
B) generate steam
C) run power plants that generated electricity
D) generate heat and electricity

Question 5

According to the figure, .

A) the United States is the only country shown that uses more energy per capita than the global per capita average
B) of the countries shown, China uses the least energy per capita despite having the highest energy intensity
C) of the countries shown, the United States uses the most energy per capita despite having the lowest energy intensity
D) China's high energy intensity reflects its use of highly efficient technologies

Question 6

One way to reduce energy use is to find more efficient ways to provide electricity. About what percentage of the energy in coal is lost during the generation and transmission of electricity?

A) 20%
B) 30%
C) 50%
D) 70%

Question 7

Which of the following events in the development of electricity infrastructure in the United States occurred most recently?

A) The first nuclear power plant was constructed.
B) The first windfarm was constructed.
C) The first coal-fired power plant was constructed.
D) The first commercial solar voltaic system was developed.

Question 8

Fractional distillation is used in processing .

A) coal
B) crude oil
C) ethanol fuel
D) natural gas

Question 9

What does a hybrid car have that a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle lacks?

A) Brakes
B) An electric motor
C) An internal combustion engine
D) A battery or batteries

Question 10

Which of the following sectors is most heavily dependent on oil?

A) Transportation
B) Industrial
C) Commercial
D) Residential

Question 11

In 2011, fossil fuels met of the global energy needs.

A) 35%
B) 57%
C) 70%
D) 85%

Question 12

As a source of energy, developed countries rely on the most, while developing countries rely more heavily on _.

A) coal; oil and natural gas
B) oil and natural gas; coal
C) wood and other biofuels; fossil fuels
D) fossil fuels; nuclear power

Question 13

You visit a small village during a trip to Haiti. Which of the following would you be most surprised to find them using for cooking?

A) Dried animal dung
B) Wood
C) Charcoal
D) Coal

Question 14

Use the information in the figure to answer the following question: If you were to replace one 60-watt incandescent bulb in your home with a 6- 8 watt LED lightbulb, how much total money would be saved during the expected lifetime of the LED lightbulb?

A) $267
B) $272
C) $247.50
D) None, because the LED bulb costs more than the incandescent bulb.

Question 15

Which of the following can be inferred from the information in the figure?

A) If the United States had the same energy intensity as China, per capita energy use in the United States would be much higher.
B) Countries that are more energy intense use more energy per capita than countries that are less energy intense.
C) Per capita energy use in China will decrease as the country's energy intensity decreases.
D) The United States has a higher energy intensity than most countries.

Question 16

Which of the following would increase the U.S. demand for foreign oil?

A) Using natural gas to power personal and public transportation
B) Increasing the fuel efficiency of our transportation systems
C) Developing alternatives to fossil fuels
D) Decreasing the price of a gallon of gas

Question 17

Since 2005, the United States has .

A) improved the efficiency of its technology and now does not need to import foreign oil
B) been steadily consuming more oil and producing less oil domestically
C) decreased oil consumption, mostly due to citizens purchasing more fuel-efficient vehicles
D) increased its oil consumption, while India and China have decreased their consumption by means of strict environmental legislation

Question 18

A pound of which of the following would have the highest energy content?

A) Gasoline
B) Wood
C) Lightbulbs
D) Coal

Question 19

Coal and are the energy sources that provide the least amount of energy for the transportation sector.

A) natural gas
B) renewable energy sources
C) oil
D) nuclear

Question 20

An oil shortage in 1973 was mainly the result of .

A) increased reliance on domestic oil production and the law of supply and demand
B) global prosperity and an increased global demand for oil
C) global politics and an increased reliance on foreign oil
D) a ban on offshore exploration in the United States

Question 21

Which of the following energy sources is an example of a traditional biomass fuel?

A) Nuclear energy
B) Cow poop
C) Hydropower
D) Coal

Question 22

What does a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle have that an electric car lacks?

A) Fuel rods
B) Emissions
C) An electric motor
D) A battery or batteries

Question 23

All of the following are secondary energy sources except .

A) coal
B) electricity
C) batteries
D) gasoline

Question 24

Which of the following would be the wisest investment to save you money on your energy bills if you lived in southern Louisiana?

A) A swamp cooler
B) A solar hot water heater
C) A natural gas furnace
D) An air conditioner

Question 25

Which of the following statements can be inferred from the information in the figure?

A) In 2009, renewable energy sources accounted for only 2% of the total annual energy use in the United States.
B) Oil is used mainly in transportation, and coal and natural gas are used mainly in the generation of electricity.
C) Americans use more oil today than ever before.
D) Between 2005 and 2009, oil use in the United States declined by over 10%.

Question 26

Which of the following would most reduce current U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports?

A) Turning computers and lights off when not in use
B) Replacing any dishwasher or refrigerator more than 10 years old with new energy-efficient models
C) Switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs
D) Continuing to raise the fuel efficiency standards for all vehicles sold in the United States

Question 27

You are the chief executive officer (CEO) of a utility company in Arizona that is considering whether to expand its electrical capacity to keep up with demand. You decide that it would be wise to delay expanding your electrical capacity for as long as possible by getting your customers to reduce their electrical use. Explain how your company would go about doing this.

Question 28

What is the difference between a negawatt and a megawatt?

A) A negawatt is a megawatt of energy saved, while a megawatt is a million watts of energy used.
B) A negawatt is any amount of energy saved, while a megawatt is a measure equal to a million watts of energy.
C) A negawatt is the equivalent of 1 kilowatt of energy saved, while a megawatt is the equivalent of 1 kilowatt of energy used.
D) A negawatt is one thousand watts, while a megawatt is one million watts.

Question 29

Brownouts and blackouts involve drops in voltage to complete losses of electrical power, often occurring when electrical demand exceeds supply. As demands for electricity push beyond the capacity of the existing power grid in the United States, when is it most likely that a brownout or blackout will disrupt electricity to your home computer?

A) During a weekday in the summer
B) During a weekend in the winter
C) During a weekday in the winter
D) During a weekend in the summer

Question 30

You visit a small village during a trip to Haiti. While there, you learn that a large number of villagers suffer from respiratory problems. Which of the following is the best explanation for this phenomenon?

A) The villagers are allergic to your body spray.
B) The villagers are exposed to a great deal of air pollution from urban traffic.
C) Many of the villagers have had malaria, and lung damage is a permanent effect of the disease.
D) The villagers are exposed to a great deal of air pollution from fuels used for cooking.

Question 31

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the current status of China's energy use?

A) China currently has a higher energy intensity than the United States.
B) As a nation, China ranks third in energy use behind only India and the United States.
C) Although the source of energy differs, the average resident of China uses about the same amount of energy as the average resident of the United States.
D) Almost 75% of China's electricity is being produced by hydroelectric plants such as the new Three Gorges Dam recently built along the Yangtze River.

Question 32

Despite constant technological advancements that are more and more energy efficient, global energy use is projected to increase for the foreseeable future (see figure). Explain why global energy use is expected to increase.

Question 33

A recent economic downturn, the relatively high price of gasoline, and an increase in fuel efficiency of vehicles have led to a slight decline in oil consumption in the United States. However, per capita oil use is still among the highest in the world-eight times higher than per capita oil use in China and almost 20 times higher than per capita use in India. Identify specific ways that the United States could further decrease its oil consumption and become more sustainable.

Question 34

Which of the following best exemplifies a decentralized power generation system?

A) The Hoover Dam
B) A solar panel on a house
C) A windfarm
D) A hot water heater