Deck 5: Nonrenewable Energy and Electricity, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Urban Ecosystems, Waste Management, the Environment and Human Health, and the Environment and You

Question 1

For the last 100 years, our primary energy source has been _______.

A) fuel wood
B) fossil fuels
C) natural gas
D) nuclear energy
E) hydropower

Answer 1

fossil fuels

Question 2

One hundred units of coal energy are converted to electricity, which is then used to power an incandescent light bulb that produces 1.2 units of light energy. This results in a 1.2%_______ .

A) energy conversion
B) energy end- use efficiency
C) energy conversion efficiency
D) consumption
E) energy return on investment

Answer 2

energy end- use efficiency

Question 3

Currently, fossil fuels meet_______of the global energy needs.

A) 57%
B) 35%
C) 70%
D) 79%
E) 5%

Answer 3

79%

Question 4

When coal is burned to generate electricity, 70% of the primary energy in the coal is transformed into unused heat. This means that the energy conversion efficiency from chemical to electrical energy is_______ .

A) 70%
B) 0%
C) 100%
D) 30%
E) cannot be determined

Question 5

In the United States, oil production is_______oil consumption.

A) significantly less than
B) equal to
C) slightly greater than
D) significantly greater than
E) slightly less than

Question 6

All of the following except_______would result in improved energy- use efficiency.

A) buying high- efficiency appliances
B) buying more SUV motor vehicles
C) tax credits for insulating and putting double pane windows in existing buildings
D) rebates for building energy- efficient buildings
E) tax credits for installing geothermal heating in your home

Question 7

A measure of the useful energy produced divided by the amount of energy it takes to obtain it, is known as________.

A) a measure of secondary energy
B) a measure of intrinsic value
C) the energy return on investment (EROI)
D) the proven reserves
E) the energy conversion efficiency

Question 8

Electric power is measured in _______ .

A) kilowatt hours
B) amperes
C) peak load
D) volts
E) base load

Question 9

Keeping energy prices artificially low_______.

A) has no effect on the amount of air pollution in the United States
B) prevents manufacturing from wasting energy in production of good
C) encourages use of renewable energy sources
D) will reduce inflation
E) encourages waste and rapid depletion of energy resources

Question 10

Fossil fuels are best described as a(n)_______energy source.

A) renewable
B) efficient
C) clean
D) nonrenewable
E) environmentally friendly

Question 11

Which of the following represents the greatest electric power?

A) low potential and low current
B) no potential and high current
C) low potential and high current
D) high potential and high current
E) high potential and low current

Question 12

Proven environmental impacts of the transmission of electricity have been associated with intermittent _______ .

A) radioactive effects of electricity
B) use of PCBs in transformers
C) air pollution surrounding coal mining
D) use of heavy metals in transmission lines
E) electromagnetic fields

Question 13

Energy consumption can be reduced by all of the following except _______.

A) purchasing only energy- efficient lighting
B) purchasing energy- efficient light bulbs
C) buying a more energy- efficient furnace for your home
D) using your car instead of mass transit
E) turning off unused lights

Question 14

Proved reserves of a nonrenewable energy source are _______.

A) refined and captured but not able to be reused
B) reserves that will be exhausted due to overuse by humans
C) measures of useful energy produced
D) the extent of known energy reserves
E) quantities of fuel that can be recovered using current technology and prices

Question 15

The Hudson River has been polluted with _______ from a facility that manufactures electrical transformers.

A) PCBs
B) coolants
C) solid waste
D) peat
E) DDT

Question 16

Using high pressure liquids to extract oil from rocks such as oil shale is known as _______ .

A) hydraulic fracturing
B) scrubber technology
C) primary oil recovery
D) outflow washing
E) internal combustion

Question 17

A/An _______is a device designed to remove particles and pollutant gases.

A) tall stack
B) coal washer
C) boiler
D) air filter
E) scrubber

Question 18

Mine tailings contain_______, which harms fish and other aquatic organisms.

A) oxygen
B) nitrogen
C) sulfide
D) lignite
E) fly ash

Question 19

Many oil reserves are located far away from the urban areas requiring these reserves. A major oil spill associated with the transporting of oil was_______ .

A) Alaska Monitor
B) America Trader
C) Exxon Valdez
D) Prestige
E) Deepwater Horizon

Question 20

A major concern with natural gas demand is_______ .

A) limited use of the fossil fuel
B) low supply
C) transportation
D) lack of greenhouse gas emission
E) lack of appropriate storage

Question 21

Natural gas is mainly consumed by _______.

A) industry
B) households
C) transportation
D) nuclear power
E) agriculture

Question 22

In which situation would you expect to be closest to peak load?

A) in the middle of a spring night
B) on a cool, sunny day
C) on a windy day
D) on an extremely hot day
E) Peak load is always the same, regardless of time or weather.

Question 23

Tar sand deposits are examples of _______.

A) conventional oil reservoirs
B) peak oil
C) unconventional oil reservoirs
D) liquefied natural gas
E) clean coal systems

Question 24

Using the natural built- up pressure in a reservoir to extract crude oil is known as_______oil recovery.

A) solitary
B) secondary
C) primary
D) tertiary
E) quaternary

Question 25

The Kern River Oil Field in California has remained active because _______.

A) new extraction technologies have been developed
B) both the demand and price for oil has increased
C) the demand for oil has increased
D) the price of oil has increased
E) All of these answers are correct.

Question 26

The presence of specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the red blood cells of seagulls indicates_______.

A) long- term exposure to pollutants from nuclear waste
B) long- term exposure to pollutants from oil spills
C) recent exposure to pollutants from nuclear waste
D) recent exposure to pollutants from oil spills
E) nothing of concern as PAHs are normally present in red blood cells

Question 27

Knowing the importance of assessing coal reserves in terms of energy content per unit weight, which region has the most valuable coal reserves?

A) Australia
B) Africa
C) South America
D) Europe
E) Asia

Question 28

Proven uranium reserves are found in many continents; of the countries listed below, the country with the least known reserves is _______.

A) Canada
B) Brazil
C) Namibia
D) Uzbekistan
E) Kazakhstan

Question 29

Currently, which of the following primary energy sources accounts for the least global consumption?

A) nuclear
B) gas
C) wood
D) renewable energy
E) hydropower

Question 30

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Primary Energy

A) The process of changing one form of energy into other forms of energy
B) Energy contained in natural resources
C) Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
D) Sources of energy that exist in limited quantities
E) Sources of energy that are not depleted when they are used

Question 31

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Secondary Energy

A) The process of changing one form of energy into other forms of energy
B) Energy contained in natural resources
C) Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
D) Sources of energy that exist in limited quantities
E) Sources of energy that are not depleted when they are used

Question 32

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Nonrenewable Energy

A) The process of changing one form of energy into other forms of energy
B) Energy contained in natural resources
C) Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
D) Sources of energy that exist in limited quantities
E) Sources of energy that are not depleted when they are used

Question 33

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Renewable Energy

A) The process of changing one form of energy into other forms of energy
B) Energy contained in natural resources
C) Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
D) Sources of energy that exist in limited quantities
E) Sources of energy that are not depleted when they are used

Question 34

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Energy Conversion

A) The process of changing one form of energy into other forms of energy
B) Energy contained in natural resources
C) Energy sources that have been converted from other energy sources
D) Sources of energy that exist in limited quantities
E) Sources of energy that are not depleted when they are used

Question 35

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Fuel Cell

A) Converts chemical energy into electricity through a reaction with oxygen
B) Reduces amperage and increases voltage
C) Network of transmission lines and transformers
D) Dynamo
E) Area of electromagnetic force

Question 36

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Transformer

A) Converts chemical energy into electricity through a reaction with oxygen
B) Reduces amperage and increases voltage
C) Network of transmission lines and transformers
D) Dynamo
E) Area of electromagnetic force

Question 37

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Electric Power Grid

A) Converts chemical energy into electricity through a reaction with oxygen
B) Reduces amperage and increases voltage
C) Network of transmission lines and transformers
D) Dynamo
E) Area of electromagnetic force

Question 38

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Electric Generator

A) Converts chemical energy into electricity through a reaction with oxygen
B) Reduces amperage and increases voltage
C) Network of transmission lines and transformers
D) Dynamo
E) Area of electromagnetic force

Question 39

Match the description with the appropriate term.

-Electromagnetic Field

A) Converts chemical energy into electricity through a reaction with oxygen
B) Reduces amperage and increases voltage
C) Network of transmission lines and transformers
D) Dynamo
E) Area of electromagnetic force

Question 40

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
Electrical current is the flow of electrons through a wire and is measured in amperes (amps). The voltage (volts) is a measure of the electric force required to keep electrons flowing through a wire. Power is the rate at which electricity does work, or provides energy, and is measured in watts (W). The current and voltage are related to electric power by the following equation: Power = volts × amps. Large amount of electric power is measured in kilowatts (kW). An electric bill reflects the total amount of electrical energy (expressed in kilowatt-hours, kWh), used by all electric appliances for the duration of the time (in hours) they were being used. Thus: kWh = (W × h) ÷ 1000.

-If a household appliance is operating on 110 volts and electricity is flowing with a current of 0.2 amperes in this appliance, how many watts are consumed?

A) 220 watts
B) 550 watts
C) 55 watts
D) 22 watts
E) cannot be determined with information provided

Question 41

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
Electrical current is the flow of electrons through a wire and is measured in amperes (amps). The voltage (volts) is a measure of the electric force required to keep electrons flowing through a wire. Power is the rate at which electricity does work, or provides energy, and is measured in watts (W). The current and voltage are related to electric power by the following equation: Power = volts × amps. Large amount of electric power is measured in kilowatts (kW). An electric bill reflects the total amount of electrical energy (expressed in kilowatt-hours, kWh), used by all electric appliances for the duration of the time (in hours) they were being used. Thus: kWh = (W × h) ÷ 1000.

-If an electrical tea kettle requires 1500 watts to heat, how many kilowatts does this equal?

A) 1.5 × 10³ kw
B) 1,500,000 kw
C) 15,000 kw
D) 1.5 kw
E) cannot be determined from the data provided

Question 42

Even without the possibility of a nuclear accident, no primary energy source seems to generate more controversy and debate in the United States than nuclear power. Discuss three important environmental impacts that are a result of the normal operation of a nuclear power plant.

Question 43

Renewable primary energy sources include all of the following except_______.

A) natural gas
B) wind
C) biomass
D) sunlight
E) ocean tides

Question 44

In order to make use of most renewable energy resources, we must _______ .

A) capture and convert these diffuse energy sources into more concentrated forms
B) solve the negative environmental impacts of these renewable energy resources
C) convert the concentrated nature of these natural resources to more usable forms
D) further explore the tropical rainforests for natural products that will aid in these new technologies
E) persuade government officials of their abundance

Question 45

What percentage of energy comes from renewable energy sources besides wood and charcoal burning?

A) 14%
B) 2%
C) 6%
D) 10%
E) 20%

Question 46

Which of the following renewable energy power sources makes up 50% of the renewable energy currently consumed?

A) solar
B) wind
C) geothermal
D) hydropower
E) biomass

Question 47

Hydroelectric plants using impoundments generate electricity when water is released from a_______

A) turbine
B) pipe
C) dam
D) generator
E) powerhouse

Question 48

In California, Oregon, and Washington, development of hydropower is limited by potential impacts of facilities on_______.

A) agriculture demand for the land
B) endangered fish
C) lack of water sources
D) timber harvesting facilities
E) already existing fossil fuel plants in the area

Question 49

One limitation of wind power is that it_______.

A) produces radioactive wastes
B) uses fossil fuels to generate electricity
C) is intermittent
D) produces water pollution
E) involves mining

Question 50

Currently, approximately what percentage of renewable energy consumption is represented by solar power in the world?

A) 5%
B) 20%
C) 2%
D) 50%
E) 10%

Question 51

Biomass energy is energy contained in _______.

A) water
B) the sun
C) wind
D) firewood and other plant material.
E) the Earth's heat

Question 52

Why is biomass energy renewable?

A) Once forest wood is burned, the forest is not replanted.
B) Any living organism is considered renewable.
C) Once plants are harvested, they can grow again if proper conditions are provided and rate of harvest does not exceed rate of planting.
D) There are always more plants growing somewhere on Earth.
E) Once plants are harvested, the soil in no longer fertile for replanting and regrowth.

Question 53

Burning ethanol derived from sugarcane produces at least_______less greenhouse gases than burning an equivalent amount of gasoline.

A) 66%
B) 99%
C) 87%
D) 15%
E) 32%

Question 54

Recent U.S. legislation has mandated increased use of biofuels, and the number of ethanol refineries is growing rapidly. It is now predicted that by 2015, as much as_______of the U.S. corn crop could go toward ethanol production.

A) 90%
B) 10%
C) 20%
D) 75%
E) 50%

Question 55

Ground- source heat pumps use the difference in temperature between the air and soil to warm and cool buildings. The upper 10 ft of the Earth is always at a constant temperature of_______, which is ideal for warming buildings in the winter and cooling them in summer.

A) 50- 60°F
B) 225- 60°F
C) 70- 80°F
D) 100- 20°F
E) over 360°F

Question 56

Geothermal energy is_______.

A) geographically limited
B) based on nuclear reactions in the Earth's core
C) only able to be used during the day
D) intermittent
E) energy originating from the sun and slowly released from Earth's core

Question 57

Tidal power does not_______.

A) convert tides into the potential energy needed for electricity generation
B) generate electricity when high tides revert to low tides.
C) convert the kinetic energy of tides to electricity
D) operate much like wind turbine electricity generation, except underwater
E) generate electricity using tidal turbines

Question 58

Energy efficiency is _______ .

A) reducing energy wastes
B) a measurement of overall energy use
C) the process of using less energy to obtain goods and services
D) increasing demand but decreasing accessibility of various energy sources
E) the amount of energy used per dollar of economic output

Question 59

_______is a government mandate that a certain percentage of energy use come from renewable energy resources.

A) Cost of saved energy
B) Impoundment power practice
C) Economic energy intensity
D) Economies of scale
E) Renewable portfolio standards

Question 60

"Vampire" power is_______ .

A) power that is stored in an electrical system for use later
B) when the majority of the energy produced is converted to kinetic energy that can be used later
C) the hidden cost of energy
D) energy used when appliance is turned off, but in "standby" mode
E) when electric currents pass through silicone- rich materials

Question 61

Compared to the global demand for energy, renewable energy sources can _______.

A) only meet a small percentage of the demand
B) meet about half of the demand
C) meet only the demand for electricity
D) exceed the demand
E) meet all of the demand

Question 62

Which of the following is not a major challenge to the widespread use of renewable energy?

A) There are many concerns about the environmental risks associated with these technologies.
B) The cost of production of these new technologies is high.
C) Government subsidies for fossil fuels reduce incentives for the use of renewable energy.
D) Consumers often have limited knowledge about the source of their electricity.
E) There are uncertainties and risk associated with investing in new technologies.

Question 63

_______use mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays on a series of pipes, which heats fluid inside the pipes to boiling, producing steam. The steam is then used to spin a turbine and generate electricity.

A) Biofuels
B) Photovoltaic cells
C) Passive solar technologies
D) Solar photovoltaic farms
E) Concentrating solar power systems

Question 64

A radio ad is promoting the increased use of E85 fuel as being economically and environmentally beneficial. There is no mention of disadvantages. You should be skeptical of this ad because_______

A) only certain cars are designed to run on this fuel blend
B) ethanol fuel may lead to an increase in food prices
C) it may take more energy to produce the ethanol than it contains
D) fossil fuels are required to produce the ethanol required for this blend
E) All of these are reasons to be skeptical.

Question 65

Cellulosic ethanol is not produced from_______.

A) wood
B) switchgrass
C) corn
D) oat straw
E) wheat straw

Question 66

Lake Crystal MN recently experienced a 20% increase in electricity rates. What action would you recommend residents take to use electricity more efficiently?

A) Install compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs.
B) Install light- emitting diode (LED) light bulbs.
C) Install incandescent light bulbs.
D) Purchase a gasoline- electric hybrid car.
E) Purchase a plug- in hybrid car.

Question 67

Which of the following is not a benefit of the OMEGA (offshore membrane enclosures for growing algae)System?

A) It does not take up valuable land space.
B) It produces a biodiesel fuel.
C) It produces freshwater.
D) It does not lead to deforestation.
E) It cleans municipal wastewater.

Question 68

Which of the following types of vehicles would have the lowest tailpipe emissions?

A) high- efficiency diesel
B) gasoline- electric hybrid
C) plug- in hybrid
D) gas- powered conventional
E) fully electric

Question 69

Undammed rivers in Colorado tend to experience higher flows in _______.

A) April
B) June
C) May
D) September
E) October

Question 70

Which of the following energy sources accounts for more than half of the renewable energy consumed?

A) geothermal
B) solar energy
C) wind energy
D) hydroelectric power
E) biomass

Question 71

Before the completion of the Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest producer of hydroelectricity was_______ .

A) Canada
B) Russia
C) China
D) United States
E) Brazil

Question 72

What region of the United States is best suited for producing wind used for energy?

A) Southeast Mountains
B) Northwest
C) Northeast
D) Western Mountains
E) Southwest

Question 73

The greatest rate of increase in the price of corn ($/bushel) was experienced during _______.

A) 2007- 2008
B) 2005- 2006
C) 1996- 1997
D) 2000- 2001
E) 2009- 2010

Question 74

Match the term with the appropriate description.

-Biomass Energy

A) Energy that takes advantage of tides, waves, and differences in water temperatures
B) Energy contained in firewood and other plant matter
C) Heat energy that is generated and stored in the Earth itself
D) Energy from wind, biomass, solar, hydro, and geothermal sources
E) The radiant energy of the sun used to heat and light homes

Question 75

Match the term with the appropriate description.

-Geothermal Energy

A) Energy that takes advantage of tides, waves, and differences in water temperatures
B) Energy contained in firewood and other plant matter
C) Heat energy that is generated and stored in the Earth itself
D) Energy from wind, biomass, solar, hydro, and geothermal sources
E) The radiant energy of the sun used to heat and light homes

Question 76

Match the term with the appropriate description.

-Solar Energy

A) Energy that takes advantage of tides, waves, and differences in water temperatures
B) Energy contained in firewood and other plant matter
C) Heat energy that is generated and stored in the Earth itself
D) Energy from wind, biomass, solar, hydro, and geothermal sources
E) The radiant energy of the sun used to heat and light homes

Question 77

Match the term with the appropriate description.

-Ocean Energy

A) Energy that takes advantage of tides, waves, and differences in water temperatures
B) Energy contained in firewood and other plant matter
C) Heat energy that is generated and stored in the Earth itself
D) Energy from wind, biomass, solar, hydro, and geothermal sources
E) The radiant energy of the sun used to heat and light homes

Question 78

Match the term with the appropriate description.

-Renewable Energy

A) Energy that takes advantage of tides, waves, and differences in water temperatures
B) Energy contained in firewood and other plant matter
C) Heat energy that is generated and stored in the Earth itself
D) Energy from wind, biomass, solar, hydro, and geothermal sources
E) The radiant energy of the sun used to heat and light homes

Question 79

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
Data for energy consumption is available for the residential, commercial, and industry sectors in Arizona. In 2010, energy consumption consisted of: 27% for residential energy uses; 15% for industry; 24% for commercial; and 34% for transportation.

-Which of the following personal actions could have the greatest impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

A) switching to all compact fluorescent bulbs for lighting
B) eating organically
C) driving a hybrid car using ethanol
D) increasing home insulation
E) recycling aluminum to the nearest industry

Question 80

Read the scenario and answer the accompanying questions.
Data for energy consumption is available for the residential, commercial, and industry sectors in Arizona. In 2010, energy consumption consisted of: 27% for residential energy uses; 15% for industry; 24% for commercial; and 34% for transportation.

-Which of the following energy sources has environmental impacts that could reduce greenhouse gases immediately, and thus have great potential for Arizona?

A) solar power
B) tidal power
C) hydropower
D) ocean- grown biofuel
E) geothermal energy