Question 1

Switching from conventional oil to natural gas probably means _____.
A) slowing the adoption of renewable energy sources
B) producing more carbon dioxide per unit of energy
C) having less risk of carbon dioxide leakage
D) switching from a nonrenewable to a renewable resource
E) being unable to produce sufficient energy for global energy consumption at current levels

Accepted Answer

Switching to natural gas can slow the adoption of renewable energy sources because it is often seen as a cleaner alternative to oil, which can reduce the urgency to transition to renewables.

Question 2

In a small town, residents begin to notice that earthquakes seem to be occurring more frequently. Some begin to wonder whether new methods of obtaining energy may be responsible. Which of the following is the most likely culprit?
A) The extraction of oil from crude oil
B) The extraction of heavy oil from oil sands
C) Increased burning of coal to provide larger amounts of energy
D) The extraction of natural gas through fracking that is leading to movement in the bedrock
E) The use of powerful wind turbines that are environmentally friendly but disruptive

Accepted Answer

The extraction of natural gas through fracking involves injecting a high-pressure mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into bedrock to release shale gas. This process can cause movement in the bedrock, leading to small earthquakes. Therefore, this is the most likely culprit for the increased earthquakes observed in the small town.

Question 3

A growing source of heavy oil is ____, which is a mixture of clay, sand, water, and a combustible organic material called bitumen.
A) shale oil
B) tar sands
C) offshore oil
D) crude oil
E) liquefied petroleum gas

Accepted Answer

The description matches the characteristics of tar sands, which is a type of heavy oil consisting of a mixture of clay, sand, water, and bitumen. A is incorrect because shale oil refers to oil extracted from shale rock formations. C and D are incorrect because they do not match the description provided. E is incorrect because liquefied petroleum gas is a different type of fossil fuel.

Question 4

One example of a renewable energy resource is _____.
A) natural gas
B) hydroelectric power
C) fracking
D) wood that is harvested more quickly than it can be regrown
E) natural minerals such as lithium

Accepted Answer

Hydroelectric power is a renewable energy resource because it harnesses the power of flowing water to generate electricity. It does not rely on the combustion of fossil fuels and does not emit greenhouse gases, making it a cleaner alternative energy source. Natural gas (A) is a fossil fuel that is not renewable, and fracking (C) is a method of extracting natural gas that can have negative environmental impacts. Harvesting wood more quickly than it can regrow (D) is not sustainable and can lead to deforestation and habitat loss. Natural minerals such as lithium (E) are not energy resources but are used in batteries for renewable energy technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels.

Question 5

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that wind farms at favorable sites in North Dakota, Kansas and Texas could meet the electricity needs of ____.
A) the western contiguous United States
B) these four states only
C) the northern plains states during the summers
D) the lower 48 states
E) the entire nation if private air conditioning is reduced

Accepted Answer

The article states that the wind farms in North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas could meet the electricity needs of "the lower 48 states," which refers to the entire contiguous United States.

Question 6

What is bitumen?
A) It is a type of coal, with dark shiny bits of organic matter.
B) It is a deep shale-oil deposit mixed with natural gas.
C) It a thick, sticky, tar-like heavy oil with a high sulfur content.
D) It is an octane-raising gasoline additive that causes pollution.
E) It is the solid organic matter found in petroleum.

Accepted Answer

Bitumen is a type of heavy oil that is thick and sticky, with a high sulfur content. It is typically extracted from oil sands and used to make asphalt for roads or other construction materials. It is not a type of coal, shale-oil deposit, gasoline additive, or solid organic matter found in petroleum.

Question 7

What is the world's most abundant nonrenewable fossil fuel?
A) Oil
B) Natural gas
C) Biomass
D) Tar sand
E) Coal

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the world's most abundant nonrenewable...

Question 8

Burning coal contributes to air pollution, ocean acidification, and climate change.

Accepted Answer

Burning coal releases pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and mercury into the air, which can cause respiratory problems and acid rain. Additionally, the carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal contribute to the acidification of the ocean and the warming of the planet, leading to negative impacts on ecosystems and human health.

Question 9

In the near future, the world is unlikely to exhaust its usable oil supplies because it is possible to use more unconventional heavy oil from depleted oil wells and other sources. Increasing the use of heavy oil will likely result in ________, among other consequences.
A) considerable unpredictability in the oil supply
B) reduced environmental impacts
C) lower net energy yields
D) greater technological input
E) reduced risk of climate change

Accepted Answer

Heavy oil has a lower net energy yield, which means that more energy is required to extract and process it, resulting in higher costs and lower energy efficiency. This can make it a less desirable option compared to conventional oil.

Question 10

Crude oil is also known as light crude or conventional oil.

Accepted Answer

Crude oil is also known as light crude or conventional oil.

Question 11

What has brought about what some experts are calling a new era of oil and natural gas production in the United States?
A) Higher market prices for oil
B) More efficient distribution systems
C) The development of shale oil extraction technologies
D) The discovery of new oil sands
E) The increasing use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing

Accepted Answer

The increasing use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, has allowed for the extraction of previously inaccessible shale oil and natural gas reserves, leading to a new era of production in the United States. Higher market prices and more efficient distribution systems may contribute to the profitability and ease of extraction, but they are not the primary drivers of the increased production. The discovery of new oil sands may be a factor in other countries, but it is not a significant factor in the United States.

Question 12

What resource was used to generate about 40% of the electricity generated in the United States in 2015?
A) Coal
B) Nuclear energy
C) Renewables
D) Oil
E) Natural gas

Accepted Answer

In 2015, coal was the dominant source of electricity generation in the United States, accounting for about 40% of the total electricity generated.

Question 13

Which of the following energy resources has the highest net energy ratio for space heating?
A) Oil
B) Active solar
C) Passive solar
D) Electric resistance heating
E) Wind

Accepted Answer

Passive solar has the highest net energy ratio for space heating because it relies on the sun's energy and does not require any additional energy inputs, resulting in a net energy gain.

Question 14

What is the term for propane and butane gases that can be liquefied under high pressure during the extraction of natural gas?
A) Methane
B) Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
C) Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
D) Gaseous hydrocarbons
E) Unconventional gas

Accepted Answer

Propane and butane gases that can be liquefied under high pressure during the extraction of natural gas are known as Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Question 15

If a scientist analyzed the components of petroleum, he or she would find ________.
A) hydrocarbons only
B) oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur only
C) oxygen and hydrogen only
D) hydrocarbons and large amounts of silicon dioxide
E) primarily hydrocarbons with smaller amounts of sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen

Accepted Answer

Petroleum is primarily composed of hydrocarbons, which are molecules made of hydrogen and carbon. However, there are also smaller amounts of sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen present in petroleum. Therefore, choice E is the best answer.

Question 16

There is a vast supply of _____ underneath an area of boreal forests in Canada.
A) liquefied petroleum gas
B) coal
C) natural gas
D) conventional oil
E) tar sands

Accepted Answer

The boreal forests in Canada are known for their abundance of tar sands, also known as oil sands. Tar sands are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and a thick, molasses-like substance called bitumen. The mining and extraction of oil from tar sands is a controversial process with significant environmental impacts.

Question 17

Why is Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) so important?
A) Together, the member countries have about 81% of the world's proven crude oil reserves, giving them significant ability to control world oil supplies for the foreseeable future.
B) It consists of three countries with about half of the world's proven crude oil reserves.
C) Together, the member countries are the major players in international policy regarding the implementation of progressive and unconventional resources.
D) The member countries control the largest reserves of unconventional resources, including tar sands and shale gas.
E) The member countries consume the largest amount of petroleum products in the world and therefore have a significant effect upon petroleum prices.

Accepted Answer

OPEC is important because its member countries have about 81% of the world's proven crude oil reserves, giving them significant ability to control world oil supplies for the foreseeable future.

Question 18

What are the countries with the largest proven reserves of natural gas?
A) Canada and the United States
B) Russia, Iran, and Qatar
C) Nigeria and Algeria
D) India, Venezuela, and the United States
E) Russia, Venezuela, and Canada

Accepted Answer

Russia, Iran, and Qatar are the countries with the largest proven reserves of natural gas.

Question 19

Of the choices below, which energy resource has the highest net energy ratio for transportation?
A) Natural gas
B) Coal liquefaction
C) Gasoline
D) Oil shale
E) Ethanol from sugar cane residue

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the choices below, which energy resource...

Question 20

Heavy oil is found trapped between layers of shale rock.

Accepted Answer

Heavy oil is typically found in sandstone or carbonate reservoirs, not between layers of shale rock. Shale rock is more commonly associated with shale oil or gas.

Quiz 13: Energy Resources

Switching from conventional oil to natural gas probably means _____.

In a small town, residents begin to notice that earthquakes seem to be occurring more frequently. Some begin to wonder whether new methods of obtaining energy may be responsible. Which of the following is the most likely culprit?

A growing source of heavy oil is ____, which is a mixture of clay, sand, water, and a combustible organic material called bitumen.

One example of a renewable energy resource is _____.

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that wind farms at favorable sites in North Dakota, Kansas and Texas could meet the electricity needs of ____.

What is bitumen?

What is the world's most abundant nonrenewable fossil fuel?

Burning coal contributes to air pollution, ocean acidification, and climate change.

In the near future, the world is unlikely to exhaust its usable oil supplies because it is possible to use more unconventional heavy oil from depleted oil wells and other sources. Increasing the use of heavy oil will likely result in ________, among other consequences.

Crude oil is also known as light crude or conventional oil.

What has brought about what some experts are calling a new era of oil and natural gas production in the United States?

What resource was used to generate about 40% of the electricity generated in the United States in 2015?

Which of the following energy resources has the highest net energy ratio for space heating?

What is the term for propane and butane gases that can be liquefied under high pressure during the extraction of natural gas?

If a scientist analyzed the components of petroleum, he or she would find ________.

There is a vast supply of _____ underneath an area of boreal forests in Canada.

Why is Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) so important?

What are the countries with the largest proven reserves of natural gas?

Of the choices below, which energy resource has the highest net energy ratio for transportation?

Heavy oil is found trapped between layers of shale rock.