Deck 17: Capturing Energy

Question 1

Even though fossil fuels were created by geologic conversion of biomass, how come they are considered nonrenewable?

A) It takes millions of years for the fuels to form.
B) The fuels are not produced via photosynthesis.
C) Nonrenewable is synonymous for inexpensive.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Answer 1

It takes millions of years for the fuels to form.

Question 2

Where does the chemical energy in living plants ultimately come from?

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

Answer 2

solar radiation

Question 3

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?

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.

Answer 3

You may need to know all of the above.

Question 4

Which of the following has a typical peak power output of about 1,500 megawatts?

A) a coal-fired power plant
B) a hydroelectric dam
C) a nuclear reactor
D) a fusion reactor
E) All of the above have the same capacity.

Question 5

One megawatt (1.0 MW) of electricity is sufficient to meet the needs of about 350 households within a developed nation. Europe expects to have a wind energy capacity of 180,000 MW by 2020. How many households is this?

A) 6.3 million households
B) 63 million households
C) 630 million households
D) 95 million households

Question 6

The world's most abundant fossil fuel is ________.

A) petroleum
B) coal
C) oil sand
D) methane hydrate

Question 7

Where does the chemical energy in fossil fuels ultimately come from?

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

Question 8

How much money would you save per hour by replacing a 100-watt incandescent light bulb with an equally bright 20-watt fluorescent bulb? Assume the cost for electricity to be 15 cents per kilowatt-hour.

A) 1.5 cents per hour
B) 1.2 cents per hour
C) 0.3 cent per hour
D) It's not possible to save only a fraction of a cent.

Question 9

Why are gas turbines more efficient at generating electricity than steam turbines?

A) Gas is combustible, but steam is not.
B) Electricity conducts better through the gas exhausts, which are ionized.
C) Water has a relatively high specific heat capacity.
D) Their hot combustion products provide more energy to turn the turbine.

Question 10

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

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

Question 11

How many watts are in one megawatt?

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

Question 12

When an electrical power transmission line goes down, adjacent lines immediately experience ________.

A) a loss of power
B) a surge in power
C) a drop in power
D) minimal effects

Question 13

Which of the following has a typical peak power output of about 10,000 megawatts?

A) a coal-fired power plant
B) a hydroelectric dam
C) a nuclear reactor
D) a fusion reactor
E) All of the above have the same capacity.

Question 14

How is most of the stored chemical energy in fuel sources currently utilized?

A) It is converted to heat energy and then kinetic energy and then into electrical energy.
B) It is converted into electrical energy directly.
C) It is converted to kinetic energy and then heat energy and then into electrical energy.
D) It is converted into electrical energy and then kinetic energy.
E) none of the above

Question 15

Which of the following has a typical peak power output of about 500 megawatts?

A) a coal-fired power plant
B) a hydroelectric dam
C) a nuclear reactor
D) a fusion reactor
E) All of the above have the same capacity.

Question 16

Why are fossil fuels so popular?

A) They are readily available.
B) They have very little negative environmental impact.
C) They can be regenerated using photosynthesis.
D) They can be used to purify air of harmful particles.
E) all of the above

Question 17

What is the difference between a kilowatt and a kilowatt hour? Which is a quantity of energy? Which is a measurement of available power?

A) A kilowatt is measure of force. A kilowatt hour is a measure of energy. Therefore a kilowatt hour is a measurement of available power.
B) A kilowatt is a measure of force per unit area and therefore a measurement of energy. A kilowatt hour is a measure of available power, metered on your electric bill.
C) A kilowatt is a measurement of the rate at which energy is delivered, which is power. A kilowatt hour is an amount of energy, which is metered on your electric bill.
D) A kilowatt is a measure of force while a kilowatt hour is a measure of energy flow. Neither is a measure of available power. Available power is the term used by the power company for its output potential.

Question 18

If the average energy demand of a small city of typical U.S. households is 80 megawatts, why does the local power plant need to have a power rating of 300 megawatts or higher?

A) It has to deal with times of peak demand when everyone is pulling power at once.
B) It has to serve more than one community at a time.
C) The power is quantized and can only come in discrete packets of 150 megawatts.
D) The extra capacity is sold to other power grids.
E) all of the above

Question 19

How much does it cost to operate five 80-watt light bulbs for 24 hours at a rate of 5 cents per kWh?

A) 96 cents
B) 83 cents
C) 0.48 cents
D) 48 cents
E) 9.6 cents

Question 20

Which of the following statements about electricity is true?

A) Electricity is not an energy source.
B) Electricity powers generators.
C) It is hard to transmit electricity long distances.
D) Electricity is the movement of metal ions.
E) all of the above

Question 21

Rank these fossil fuels on the ease of transportation once extracted from where they are found in nature (hardest to easiest). 1. coal 2. petroleum 3. natural gas

A) 3, 2, 1
B) 2, 3, 1
C) 1, 3, 2
D) 1, 2, 3
E) 3, 1, 2

Question 22

Why does burning natural gas produce less carbon dioxide than burning either petroleum or coal? Hint: Consider the chemical formulas of the compounds making up these materials.

A) Natural gas has fewer impurities, such as sulfur.
B) Natural gas is able to mix better with oxygen.
C) Natural gas contains a smaller proportion of carbon.
D) Natural gas actually produced more carbon dioxide, but less of other air pollutants.

Question 23

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

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

Question 24

Which of the following statements about nuclear energy is true?

A) We are capable of using nuclear fusion to release energy.
B) Nuclear fission produces more energy per pound of fuel than nuclear fusion.
C) The fusion products are extremely radioactive and have a long half-life.
D) The fuel for fission is more abundant than the fuel for fusion.
E) None of the above are true.

Question 25

Which of the following is the most abundant nonrenewable energy source?

A) cellulose
B) coal
C) natural gas
D) petroleum
E) none of the above

Question 26

Why is it impractical to burn any fuel in such a way that no nitrogen oxides are formed as combustion products?

A) All fuels contain nitrogen.
B) Nitrogen oxides form wherever air is exposed to high temperatures.
C) Much of the energy of combustion comes from the formation of nitrogen oxides.
D) Plants have come to depend on the nitrogen oxides produced from combustion.

Question 27

Rank these fossil fuels on the ease of extraction from where they are found in nature (hardest to easiest). 1. coal 2. petroleum 3. natural gas 4. methane-hydrate

A) 4, 1, 3, 2
B) 4, 3, 2, 1
C) 1, 2, 3, 4
D) 2, 3, 4, 1
E) 3, 2, 1, 4

Question 28

What is a the main difficulty in storing radioactive waste?

A) The half-life of the material is so long it will take over 10,000 years until it is safe.
B) No one wants to keep the waste in their backyard.
C) The materials give off so much radiation that there are engineering difficulties.
D) Water seepage into the waste could lead to radioactive leachate.
E) all of the above

Question 29

Which of the following fossil fuels is the hardest to extract from the ground?

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

Question 30

Which of the following fossil fuels can be used most readily as a feedstock for industry?

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

Question 31

Which of the following fossil fuels can only be obtained from the sea?

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

Question 32

Which of the following is not a fossil fuel?

A) cellulose
B) coal
C) natural gas
D) petroleum
E) All of the above are fossil fuels.

Question 33

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

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 34

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

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

Question 35

Why are fossil fuels so widely used?

A) There are numerous, inexpensive sources.
B) They can be easily transported.
C) They have a large amount of energy stored in them compared to biomass.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 36

Which of the following statements about nuclear energy is true?

A) Nuclear fission leads to a reduction in fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions.
B) Energy from nuclear fission costs less than that from fossil fuels.
C) Nuclear fission does not produce any pollution.
D) The fuel for fission is easily extracted and prepared for reactor use.
E) None of the above are true.

Question 37

Rank these fossil fuels on their cleanliness (cleanest to dirtiest). 1. coal 2. petroleum 3. natural gas

A) 3, 2, 1
B) 2, 3, 1
C) 1, 3, 2
D) 1, 2, 3
E) 3, 1, 2

Question 38

In 2009, most electrical power worldwide came from ________.

A) coal
B) oil
C) hydroelectric
D) nuclear fission
E) nuclear fusion

Question 39

Which of the following fossil fuels is the cleanest and contains the most energy?

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

Question 40

Why are airplanes flown by the power of electricity rather than the power of gasoline fuel so impractical?

A) The wires connecting it to the ground would have to be impractically long.
B) Electricity driven airplanes are only impractical when required to lift heavy loads.
C) Electricity driven airplanes would be prone to lightning strikes.
D) all of the above

Question 41

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

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 42

Why are countries teaming up to develop nuclear fusion energy?

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 43

How do passive stability mechanisms work in newer reactors?

A) Normal processes keep the reactor cool or stable.
B) Multiple backup systems keep the reactor safe.
C) Lower amounts of radioactive material are used.
D) The nuclear core is passivated with a nuclear catalyst.
E) all of the above

Question 44

Is it possible for a nuclear fission power plant to blow up like an atomic bomb?

A) Yes, if there is a collision between two fuel rods.
B) No, the worst case scenario is a "meltdown" not a nuclear explosion.
C) Yes, if the meltdown by-products reach the water table.
D) No, there are too many safeguards to prevent such an event.

Question 45

What are some advantages of deriving energy from nuclear fusion?

A) It is a simple technology.
B) It is a safe process.
C) The reactors are already built.
D) The fuel supply is virtually unlimited.

Question 46

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

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

Question 47

Which of the following is the most significant environmental advantage of deriving energy from nuclear fission?

A) There are almost no atmospheric pollutants.
B) Nuclear bombs can be made from fuel by-products.
C) Waters surrounding each nuclear power plant are warmed.
D) The uranium fuel supply is virtually unlimited.

Question 48

What is the greatest impediment to the widespread application of sustainable energy?

A) fossil fuels are too cheap so there is no motivation to improve
B) government restrictions on use of public lands
C) negative public opinion
D) lack of technology
E) all of the above

Question 49

What feature makes fusion energy more attractive than fission?

A) There is no radioactive waste generated.
B) The cost of the reactors is less than fission reactors.
C) Less shielding from high energy neutrons is needed.
D) It will be able to supply energy to developing countries.
E) none of the above

Question 50

Which of the following statements is true?

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 51

Where does the electric energy from windmills ultimately come from?

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

Question 52

In 1973 the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries stopped exporting their oil for a time. What effect do you suppose this embargo had on the nuclear power industry?

A) There was little effect as most experts in the industry knew that the 1973 oil embargo was going to be short-lived.
B) This embargo boosted the support for building of many new nuclear power plants.
C) It lowered the price of electricity generated from nuclear power plants, which then held a greater share of the market.
D) Any positive effect of this embargo could have had on the nuclear power industry was promptly negated by the Chernobyl disaster.

Question 53

Why is nuclear fusion not currently a viable power source?

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 54

Which of the following is an example of a passive stability mechanism?

A) the reactor that shuts itself down past a certain temperature due to thermal expansion of the control rods
B) several layers of containment that separate the core from safe zones
C) the application of materials that allow higher neutron emission at higher temperatures
D) the use of pressurized containment buildings that can be tested for leaks
E) none of the above

Question 55

Where does the electric energy from geothermal harvesting ultimately come from?

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

Question 56

How are hydroelectric dams similar to coal-fired power plants?

A) Both use kinetic energy of water to turn a turbine.
B) Both use heat energy to boil water.
C) Both convert steam into electricity.
D) Neither have a negative environmental impact.
E) all of the above

Question 57

Why is it in a country's best national security interests to invest in sustainable energy sources?

A) The costs of nonsustainable energy sources are guaranteed to rise as these sources become more scarce.
B) They could profit by selling their developed technologies to other countries.
C) It allows a nation to be energy independent.
D) all of the above

Question 58

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

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

Question 59

What is a meant by a sustainable energy source?

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 60

Why would a chain-reaction control substance that loses neutron-absorbing power as its temperature increases be dangerous?

A) Because it would start to emit protons.
B) Neutrons would start to collide with each other and that would be bad.
C) It would be unusually radioactive.
D) Unhindered neutrons would cause a meltdown.

Question 61

What are some disadvantages of producing ethanol by fermenting food biomass?

A) It is a waste of good food.
B) It could destabilize the world oil market.
C) It is a rather costly process.
D) all of the above

Question 62

Why do many environmental groups oppose building more hydroelectric dams when these dams produce virtually no chemical pollutants as they create electric power?

A) Because they increase the rate of evaporation, hence more fresh water is lost.
B) Because these dams are very expensive to build.
C) Environmental groups tend to reject all new technological advancements.
D) Dams can radically alter ecosystems.

Question 63

Which of the following is an advantage of biomass as an energy source?

A) Burning biomass generates more energy than burning fossil fuels.
B) Burning biomass releases less sulfur and ash than burning coal.
C) Growing biomass doesn't strip nutrients from the soil.
D) Growing biomass for energy enhances the world's food supply.

Question 64

What is the main drawback of ocean thermal energy conversion?

A) The system only works where there is a big temperature difference in the water.
B) The low boiling refrigerant causes ozone depletion.
C) The amount of energy produced is very low.
D) The waste water suffers from algal blooms.
E) all of the above

Question 65

What is one of the drawbacks of biomass as an energy source?

A) It needs to be converted into a liquid form to be easily transported.
B) It can only be produced in areas with large amounts of water.
C) It releases greenhouse gasses.
D) all of the above
E) only a or b

Question 66

How is it that here on the Earth we can derive energy from the Moon, which is 400 thousand kilometers away?

A) We can gather radiation from the Moon.
B) We can take advantage of the tidal forces between the Earth and the Moon.
C) We can utilize the interaction between the Earth and the Moon's magnetic fields.
D) We can collect moon rocks high in plutonium.

Question 67

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

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

Question 68

How are geothermal power and ocean thermal power similar?

A) They are restricted to selected locations.
B) They take advantage of temperature differences between layers of water.
C) They both rely on solar energy.
D) They can be used directly to heat buildings.
E) all of the above

Question 69

Which of the following conventional power plants most closely resembles an ocean thermal energy converter?

A) a fusion reactor
B) a coal-fired power plant
C) a dam
D) all of the above
E) only a or b

Question 70

How are biomass and fossil fuels related?

A) Fossil fuels are just really old biomass.
B) Both produce clean energy.
C) Neither releases greenhouse gas.
D) They are sustainable resources.
E) all of the above

Question 71

How are the greenhouse effect and passive solar heating related?

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 72

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

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 73

At atmospheric pressure, water has a boiling point too high to allow it to be used as the turbine-pushing fluid in an OTEC electric generator. How might the generator be modified to overcome this problem?

A) Raise the temperature of the water.
B) Operate the generator only in warm climates.
C) Reduce the pressure above the water.
D) Use a relatively large generator.

Question 74

Which of the following is not a way of getting energy out of biomass?

A) petrification
B) fermentation
C) combustion
D) gasification
E) consumption

Question 75

What fact does ocean thermal energy conversion take advantage of?

A) The sun warms surface water but deep water is often much cooler.
B) Waste heat can be stored in the ocean.
C) Carbon dioxide can be treated by the warm water in the ocean and removed from the atmosphere.
D) Ocean water has a higher salinity and therefore it is converted into steam at a higher temperature.
E) none of the above

Question 76

What is the main biomass-derived fuel used in the U.S.?

A) ethanol
B) methanol
C) methane
D) ethane
E) octane

Question 77

What is one drawback of dams?

A) They prevent fish from spawning.
B) They soften the shells on avian eggs.
C) Because they are pollution free, the electricity is more expensive.
D) all of the above
E) none of the above

Question 78

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

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

Question 79

Which of these applications are passive solar heating methods that are practical for home owners?

A) using solar heated water to heat the home
B) using solar heated water to heat the pool
C) using solar heated water to generate electricity
D) using solar heated water as a way to provide air conditioning
E) only a and b

Question 80

What is the main advantage of geothermal power?

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