Question 1

Drilling for an oil or gas well that allows the well bore to bend in curves and extend for long distances within an underground target is called

Accepted Answer

Directional drilling involves drilling a wellbore that can curve and extend for longer distances within an underground target. Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting fluid under high pressure to create fractures in rock layers to release oil or gas. Seismic reflection profiling is a method used to study subsurface geology, while conventional drilling involves drilling straight down into the ground.

Question 2

Uranium,the fuel that drives nuclear energy,is found in which geologic setting?

Accepted Answer

Uranium is found in fracture-filling veins where hydrothermal fluids circulated through granitic plutons.

Question 3

Gypsum,sand,and copper ore are examples of _______.

Accepted Answer

Gypsum, sand, and copper ore are all examples of mineral resources.

Question 4

Which sequence correctly shows an increase in coal rank from lowest to highest?

Accepted Answer

Coal rank refers to the level of transformation that occurred in the coal due to increased pressure and heat over time. Lignite is the lowest rank coal, followed by bituminous, and then anthracite is the highest rank coal. Option B shows the correct sequence from lowest to highest rank coal.

Question 5

A resource is considered renewable if ________.

Accepted Answer

Renewable resources are those which can be replenished at a rate equal to or faster than their rate of consumption by humans. Therefore, option B is the most accurate choice, as it indicates that nature can replace the resource within a short time span relative to human consumption. Option A is incorrect as it implies that the resource is being depleted faster than it can be replenished. Option C is partially correct, but "hundreds or thousands of years" is a long time span and does not fit the definition of a renewable resource. Option D is incorrect as a million years is an extremely long time that is not relevant to human consumption.

Question 6

Most ores belong to which mineral class(es)?

Accepted Answer

Most ores belong to the mineral classes sulfides and oxides, as these minerals contain valuable metals such as copper, zinc, iron, and aluminum. Sulfates and halides are less commonly found in ores, while silicates and phosphates are typically not considered ores at all.

Question 7

In which geologic setting were most of the world's coal reserves deposited?

Accepted Answer

Coal reserves are primarily derived from the remnants of ancient swamps and wetlands. The tropical and subtropical fluvial and shallow marine systems of the past provided the ideal conditions for the formation of these swamps, where large amounts of plant material accumulated and eventually turned into coal.

Question 8

Which is the most abundant gas produced from the burning of coal,oil,and natural gas?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide is the most abundant gas produced from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas. The combustion of these fossil fuels releases carbon that combines with oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide. This is a significant contributor to climate change and global warming.

Question 9

Nonmetals extracted from metals during smelting are termed ________.

Accepted Answer

Slag is the correct term for nonmetals extracted from metals during the smelting process. It refers to the byproduct that forms on the surface of molten metal, which includes impurities and nonmetallic elements extracted from the ore.

Question 10

________ create(s)an easy route for oil to follow from the rock to a well.

Accepted Answer

Hydrofracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a technique used to create fractures in rock formations, which allows oil and gas to flow more easily to a wellbore, facilitating extraction.

Question 11

_______ is an environmental issue in which groundwater and surface water can become polluted with sulfuric acid that is produced when sulfur-bearing minerals are exposed to conditions at the Earth's surface.

Accepted Answer

Acid mine runoff is the environmental issue in which groundwater and surface water can become polluted with sulfuric acid that is produced when sulfur-bearing minerals are exposed to conditions at the Earth's surface. This happens due to mining activities where rocks containing metal sulfides are exposed to air and water, causing the sulfides to oxidize and form sulfuric acid which then leaks into nearby water sources.

Question 12

Which of the following is a renewable energy resource?

Accepted Answer

Wind is a renewable energy resource as it comes naturally from the wind and does not deplete over time like fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas).

Question 13

Which of the following is a metallic mineral resource?

Accepted Answer

Bauxite is a metallic mineral resource that is used to produce aluminum. Gypsum and phosphate are non-metallic mineral resources, and gravel is not a mineral resource at all.

Question 14

Metals are very useful to modern society because they _______ and ___________.

Accepted Answer

Metals are good conductors of electricity and heat, which makes them useful for wiring, electronics, and many other applications. They are also malleable and ductile, meaning they can be easily shaped into a variety of forms, making them useful for construction and manufacturing. While some metals may be expensive or rare, these qualities are not the primary reason why they are useful to modern society. Choice C and D are not accurate, as not all metals are widely available and not all metals generate or replace electricity or fossil fuels.

Question 15

Nuclear energy relies on ________.

Accepted Answer

Nuclear energy relies on fission, where heavy radioactive atoms are split apart to release energy.

Question 16

________ is harnessed from the potential energy of water.

Accepted Answer

Hydroelectric power is generated from the energy of falling water. The water can be held in a reservoir and released through a turbine, which generates electricity. This is a renewable form of energy that does not produce greenhouse gases.

Question 17

Iceland and New Zealand are two places in the world where geothermal energy provides a cost-effective energy resource because ________.

Accepted Answer

Geothermal energy is cost-effective in Iceland and New Zealand because both countries are located in regions with high temperatures at shallow depths, making it easier and cheaper to access geothermal resources. Additionally, both countries have invested in geothermal energy infrastructure, making it a reliable and efficient source of energy. While groundwater may play a role in the availability of geothermal energy in these areas, it is not the primary reason for its cost-effectiveness. Both countries also have other sources of energy, so C and D are incorrect.

Question 18

________ is/are an example of unconventional hydrocarbon sources.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ is/are an example of unconventional hydrocarbon...

Question 19

Coal is formed when heat and pressure alter deposits of ancient ________.

Accepted Answer

Coal is formed from the remains of ancient terrestrial plants that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

Question 20

The industrial process that separates metals from ore material is known as ____________.

Accepted Answer

Smelting is the industrial process used to separate metals from ore material. Quarrying is the process of extracting minerals, while mountaintop removal mining is a type of mining that involves removing the top of a mountain to access the ore underneath. Ore processing is a general term that refers to any process used to separate ore minerals from gangue minerals.

Quiz 12: Riches in Rock: Energy and Mineral Resources