Question 1

Which of the following is not a problem associated with geothermal energy?

Accepted Answer

Geothermal energy does not produce high levels of carbon dioxide, which is the main greenhouse gas causing global warming. Instead, it typically releases less than 1% of the carbon dioxide emissions of a traditional coal-burning power plant. The other options listed are problems associated with geothermal energy.

Question 2

Which of the following will not lead to the conservation of household energy?

Accepted Answer

Electric heaters consume a significant amount of electricity and are not energy-efficient. Using them will not lead to the conservation of household energy. Lowering thermostats, using fluorescent lighting, and installing double-pane windows are all energy-efficient strategies that can lead to the conservation of energy in households. Therefore, the best choice is option A since it will not lead to the conservation of household energy.

Question 3

Which of the following has the highest household energy consumption?

Accepted Answer

Space heating typically has the highest household energy consumption, as it requires a lot of energy to maintain a comfortable temperature in a home during colder months. Water heating and appliances also contribute significantly to household energy consumption, while air-conditioning and television typically use less energy in comparison.

Question 4

Which of the following heating sources is the most effective in heating homes?

Accepted Answer

Natural gas is the most effective source of heating homes as it has a high heat value and is relatively inexpensive. It is also more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels such as oil and coal. However, it is important to also consider the efficiency of the heating system being used and to make sure it is properly maintained to ensure maximum effectiveness.

Question 5

What amount of energy is conserved when a house is heated directly with natural gas?

Accepted Answer

When a house is heated directly with natural gas, around 70-90% of the energy is conserved. This is because natural gas is a highly efficient and cost-effective fuel for heating homes.

Question 6

Which of the following is not a fuel for vehicles?

Accepted Answer

All the options listed (A, B, C, D) are associated with powering vehicles, but none of them are inherently "not a fuel." Hydrogen and ethanol are direct fuels, solar power is an energy source that can be converted to electrical power for vehicles, and a fuel cell typically uses hydrogen to generate electricity. Therefore, none of the options provided are incorrect as per the question's context.

Question 7

Which of the following will increase the supply of nuclear fissionable material to 8000 years?

Accepted Answer

Breeder reactors produce more fissionable material than they consume, which means they can increase the supply of nuclear fissionable material. The other options listed are renewable energy sources and do not produce fissionable material.

Question 8

Which of the following items will not lead to the conservation of household energy?

Accepted Answer

Using incandescent lighting actually wastes a lot of energy and does not conserve it. It is better to switch to LED or CFL bulbs for energy conservation.

Question 9

Which of the following is the most significant problem associated with geothermal energy?

Accepted Answer

The most significant problem associated with geothermal energy is its limited availability. It can only be harnessed in certain areas where there is geological activity such as volcanic regions. This limits its potential as a widespread source of renewable energy.

Question 10

Which of the following processes is representative of the given equation? Sunlight + 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Accepted Answer

The given equation represents the process of photosynthesis, where sunlight is used to convert 6 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6 molecules of water into one molecule of glucose and 6 molecules of oxygen. This process occurs in plants and some microorganisms.

Question 11

What percentage of energy is consumed for transportation in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 25% of the energy consumed in the United States is used for transportation. This includes the energy used for cars, trucks, planes, trains, and other vehicles.

Question 12

Space heating accounts for approximately _____ of energy use in an average U.S. household.

Accepted Answer

Space heating is the largest energy expense in the average U.S. household, accounting for about 41.5% of energy use.

Question 13

Rank these household energy consumers in ascending order.
(Space heating, Air-conditioning, Water heating, Appliances)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rank these household energy consumers in ascending...

Question 14

Which of the following processes is representative of the given equation? Energy + 2H₂O → 2H₂ + O₂

Accepted Answer

The equation shows the breaking down of a compound into two separate components through the input of energy. This is similar to the process of electrolysis, where an electric current is used to break down a compound into its constituent parts. Photosynthesis and respiration involve the transfer of energy, but not the breaking apart of compounds. Hydrolysis involves the addition of water to break down a compound, which is not present in the given equation. Combustion involves the reaction of a compound with oxygen to produce energy and carbon dioxide and/or water, which is not present in the given equation.

Question 15

Which of the following is the most significant problem associated with biomass energy?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient land is the most significant problem associated with biomass energy because it requires large amounts of land to grow the biomass, which can compete with food production and other land uses.

Question 16

Identify the disadvantage/disadvantages of using nuclear power as an alternative energy source.
I. Limited amounts of U-235
II. Radioactive wastes
III. Smog production

Accepted Answer

Nuclear power's main disadvantages include the limited availability of U-235, which is necessary for most nuclear reactors, and the production of radioactive wastes, which pose significant environmental and health risks. Smog production is not associated with nuclear power, as it does not combust fossil fuels.

Question 17

Which of the following two methods are used for obtaining energy from plants?

Accepted Answer

Burning and extraction of liquid fuels are two common methods for obtaining energy from plants. Burning involves combustion to release energy, while extraction of liquid fuels involves converting plant materials into biofuels like ethanol.

Question 18

Which of the following is the product of hydrogen combustion?

Accepted Answer

When hydrogen is combusted with oxygen, the only products formed are water (H2O) and heat. Therefore, the correct choice is B, water. Choices A, C, D, and E are incorrect because they are not the products of hydrogen combustion.

Question 19

Which of the following nonfissionable substances can be converted to fissionable Pu-239 in a breeder reactor?

Accepted Answer

Uranium-238 can be converted to plutonium-239 in a breeder reactor through a process called nuclear transmutation. This is done by bombarding the U-238 with neutrons, which can convert it to U-239. The U-239 then undergoes beta decay to become Pu-239.

Question 20

What percentage of energy is lost by burning natural gas to produce electricity for heating a house?

Accepted Answer

According to the laws of thermodynamics, there is always energy lost in the process of energy conversion. In the case of burning natural gas to produce electricity for heating a house, it is estimated that up to 70% of the energy is lost as heat in the process of generating and transmitting the electricity. Therefore, only 30% of the original energy in the natural gas is actually used for heating the house.

Quiz 10: Energy for Tomorrow: Solar and Other Renewable Energy Sources