Deck 9: Energy Resources

Question 1

The most common way to generate electricity is

A) batteries.
B) generating static electricity and trapping it in a series of wires.
C) moving a coil of wire through a fixed magnetic field.
D) transduction.
E) the direct capture of electrons (i.e., "catching lightning in a bottle").

Answer 1

C

Question 2

We can trace the current demands for energy back to the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization means

A) cities replacing farms as the centers of population.
B) replacing human labor with machines.
C) any large change in political policies.
D) replacing feudalism with capitalism.
E) deforestation of pristine areas.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Electricity is a "secondary" energy source, meaning

A) steam is a preferred energy source.
B) electricity is used to replace human and animal power.
C) wires must carry electrical currents.
D) another source of energy must be used to generate electricity.
E) electricity is less important than coal, gas, and hydropower.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Methods of generating electricity do not include

A) inducing an arc (electric spark) to form across electrodes.
B) electromagnetic induction.
C) light-induced electrical currents.
D) using heat to generate electricity.
E) the mixing of chemicals.

Question 5

Despite the appearance of being a clean source of energy, the generation of electricity can have negative impacts on the environment. Which of the following is not an environmental impact from the primary energy sources?

A) Degradation of land through mining
B) Pollution of water and air from burning fossil fuels
C) Destruction of the protective ozone layer
D) Thermal pollution
E) Generation of hazardous wastes

Question 6

When considering the development of a new form of energy, one must consider the answer to which of the following questions?

A) Is the technology available for the development and implementation of the new source?
B) Can we use this new source with minimal impact on the environment?
C) Is this a long-term source of energy?
D) Do we have a significant net gain of energy from this new source?
E) All of the above

Question 7

Which of the following energy sources does not ultimately originate from the sun?

A) Nuclear fuel
B) Wind power
C) Hydroelectricity
D) Biofuels
E) All of the energy sources above originate from the sun.

Question 8

The largest source of non-renewable energy is from

A) fossil fuels.
B) nuclear fuel.
C) Earth's core.
D) prevailing winds.
E) hydrolysis.

Question 9

Objections to the use of coal for energy do not include

A) destruction of land resources from mining.
B) pollution of surface and ground water.
C) atmospheric pollution from mercury and sulfur.
D) dwindling coal reserves.
E) release of greenhouse gases.

Question 10

The type of energy source that is derived from living material produced millions of years ago and converted and preserved by the prevailing geologic conditions is called

A) fossil fuel.
B) organic fuel.
C) alternative energy.
D) geothermal.
E) vulcanization.

Question 11

About _______ of the oil used in the US is for transportation.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) half
D) two thirds
E) 80%

Question 12

One problem not associated with nuclear energy production is

A) high construction costs.
B) regulatory hurdles.
C) extreme air pollution.
D) waste disposal problems.
E) public fear of accidents.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about nuclear power is false?

A) It is a source of tremendous pollution.
B) It is very fuel efficient.
C) There have been recurring, devastating accidents.
D) There is public opposition to nuclear power.
E) Disposal of nuclear waste is a controversial issue.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about renewable sources of energy is true?

A) Coal is renewable because it is derived from plant and animal residues.
B) Hydroelectricity is not renewable because the amount of water in the world is finite.
C) Geothermal energy is not renewable because energy taken from beneath Earth and cannot be replaced.
D) Methane can be renewable or nonrenewable depending upon the source.
E) Carbon dioxide is a renewable energy source because it is abundant and is constantly regenerated.

Question 15

The ultimate source of renewable energy is

A) Earth's core.
B) the sun.
C) gravity.
D) human innovation.
E) diurnal cycles.

Question 16

One disadvantage of solar cells is that

A) solar cell technology does not exist yet in a workable form.
B) the technology has not been tested.
C) electricity generated from solar cells is available only when the sun is shining.
D) a relatively large surface area is needed to generate significant amounts of electricity.
E) they are a source of air pollution.

Question 17

One of the disadvantages of active solar energy is the requirement of extensive surface area to collect the solar radiation. One way to overcome this is to take advantage of existing surfaces. Which of these would be an unlikely place to install solar panels?

A) Roofs of buildings
B) Unproductive land in the desert
C) Subway tunnels
D) Strips of land along roadways
E) Capped landfills

Question 18

Which of the following is an advantage of hydroelectric power?

A) Minor disruption of ecosystems
B) No loss of natural habitats
C) Facilities can be installed anywhere
D) No requirement for turbines
E) Clean source of power

Question 19

Which of the following is not an advantage of hydroelectric dams?

A) Cheap source of electricity
B) Minimal disruption to surrounding habitats
C) Formation of multipurpose lakes
D) Electricity with little or no pollution
E) Flood control

Question 20

Which of the following is not a fuel that can be generated from vegetation?

A) Ethanol
B) Methane
C) Biodiesel
D) Methanol
E) Propane

Question 21

Biodiesel and ethanol are liquid fuels derived from plants. Producing ethanol and biodiesel requires energy inputs that make them less efficient sources of energy. Why are they considered attractive, alternative sources of energy?

A) Liquid fuels can be burned in cars and trucks.
B) Biofuels are carbon neutral.
C) Biofuels are renewable sources of energy.
D) These fuels can be processed using an existing energy infrastructure.
E) All of the above

Question 22

The positive aspects of establishing wind power include

A) providing a habitat for birds and bats.
B) enhancing aesthetics.
C) operational under all weather conditions.
D) no requirement for energy storage or transmission.
E) exploiting a renewable source of energy.

Question 23

Which of the following is a shortcoming of wind energy?

A) Air pollution from wind turbines
B) Initially high capital investment
C) Very little land in the US suitable for wind energy
D) The requirement of high winds necessary to produce electricity
E) The insurmountable problems with sound generation and bird kills

Question 24

Biomass is more efficient in providing energy than biofuels. Biomass uses a greater fraction of the crop than biofuels, and biomass produces more energy per acre of crop than biofuels. Yet, biofuels continue to be studied more extensively than biomass. Why does research continue to focus on biofuel optimization?

A) Biofuels are preferred because they do not release greenhouse gases upon combustion.
B) The US always has a surplus of corn that can be used to supply research on biofuels.
C) Biofuels are targeted for the transportation industry, a niche that biomass does not fill.
D) Scientists want to improve biofuels because the current biofuels leave behind a toxic waste when burned.
E) All of the above

Question 25

What would be a likely impact if harsh restrictions were imposed on global greenhouse gas emissions? (A typical proposal is that all countries agree to roll back their CO₂ emissions to 1990 levels.)

A) Developing nations would have a competitive advantage over industrialized nations.
B) The industrialization of developing nations would be nearly halted.
C) The standard of living of all nations would increase dramatically.
D) Air pollution from non-greenhouse gases would increase.
E) It would result in global energy shortages.

Question 26

A nuclear power plant and a hydroelectric dam are two means of generating electricity. How are they different in the way they produce electricity? In what important way are they similar in electricity production?

Question 27

Explain why coal is considered non-renewable even though it is ultimately derived from the sun and comes from natural organic matter.

Question 28

Is it likely that coal will be formed in the future from present day deposits of plants and animals? Explain why or why not.

Question 29

Why is it so difficult for developed countries to abandon fossil fuels as their primary source of energy?

Question 30

List three types of solar energy and give an example of each.

Question 31

What are some of the advantages that hydroelectric dams offer beyond the generation of electricity?

Question 32

What is the difference between biomass and biofuels in the context of renewable energy? How are they alike?

Question 33

The production of biofuels is sometimes viewed negatively because of the perception that it decreases the production of food crops and increases food prices. Give two reasons to support this attitude and two reasons why it might be incorrect.

Question 34

Refer to the graph below showing world energy consumption. Why is the energy consumption of industrialized countries projected to remain relatively constant while that of developing countries is projected to increase dramatically during the next 20 years?

Question 35

Refer to the graph below showing world energy consumption by fuel type. Some analysts have projected that we will reach "peak oil" in 2015; that is, oil production will reach a global maximum in 2015 and further increases annual petroleum supplies will be impossible. If this is true, how will it impact world energy consumption?