Chapter 15: Fossil Fuels and the Environment

What is the benefit of burning anthracite versus bituminous coal? A) Anthracite has a higher sulfur content. B) Anthracite has a high heat content. C) Bituminous has a lower sulfur content.D)Bituminous has a high heat content.

B) Anthracite has a high heat content.

In what way does natural gas lead the way in fossil fuel consumption? A) It is more efficient than coal. B) It burns cleaner by emitting less pollution than coal. C) CO2 is not released when burning natural gas. D) Natural gas is only produced in Canada and is inexpensive to import.

B) It burns cleaner by emitting less pollution than coal.

Which of the following is not an environmental impact associated with coal mining? A) air pollution B) the impacts of refining and processing C) land-reclamation difficulties D) the pollution of streams and groundwater

B) the impacts of refining and processing

Why does fossil fuel use make the US vulnerable to the politics of foreign countries? A) The US is a net exporter of fossil fuels. B) Fossil fuels lead to global climate change. C) The US imports much of its petroleum from foreign countries, which set the prices. D) The US is the prime producer and user of renewable resources.

C) The US imports much of its petroleum from foreign countries, which set the prices.

For every three barrels of oil humans consume, we find only one barrel to replace the supply. What does this mean for our oil supplies? A) We are sustainably maintaining our supplies. B) The input is greater than the output. C) The output is greater than the input. D) We will exhaust our oil supplies by the year 2200.

C) The output is greater than the input.

Which of the following is not attributed to oil and natural gas production and their environmental impacts? A) fragile ecosystem destruction B) habitat and animal loss C) acid mine drainage D) water and waste pollution

C) acid mine drainage

Which of the following environmental impacts is not associated with coal consumption? A) In strip mining, the overlying soil and rock layers are removed so that coal veins can be found. B) Substances that can react with atmospheric substances to form acid rain are released into the air. C) Toxic heavy metals such as mercury are released into the environment. D) Waste products from coal consumption must be stored safely for thousands of years.

D) Waste products from coal consumption must be stored safely for thousands of years.

Which of the following are benefits of fossil fuel use? A) low cost B) abundant C) ease of use D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Which of the following arguments would be made by people in favor of saving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)? A) We must find other means of fuel, rather than depleting fossil fuels in a wilderness area. B) Technology will not be able to stop the amount of environmental degradation to this habitat. C) Animals such as the polar bear, caribou, and whale will be disrupted, along with their natural habitats. D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Which of the following has the potential to degrade the environment? A) oil drilling and recovery efforts during oil spills B) the refining of oil products C) the delivery and consumption of oil products D) all of the above

D) all of the above