APES: Chapter 1 Practice Questions

Which of the following would be the best location for a wind farm with ten industrial turbines? A) Arranged uniformly on a local farm that has fields and pastureland for dairy and grain production. B) Adjacent to a wetland area with a large migratory avian population in the fall and spring. C) Scattered throughout a residential neighborhood where strong wind gusts are common. D) Just outside a town near a cave housing a large bat population.

A) Arranged uniformly on a local farm that has fields and pastureland for dairy and grain production.

Which three sources supply the majority of the world's commercial energy? A) Coal, oil and natural gas B) Solar, wind, and biomass C) Nuclear, hydroelectric power, biomass D) Wood, dung, and charcoal E) Fuel cells, geothermal and tidal power

A) Coal, oil and natural gas

Which of the following explains why some energy sources are renewable? A) Renewable energy sources use advanced technologies and have been discovered in recent years, making them newer energy sources. B) Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption. C) Renewable energy sources include natural gas and other fossil fuels because they are made from the remains of ancient organisms. D) Renewable energy sources exist in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced.

B) Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption.

The part of any commercial power plant responsible for producing an alternating electrical current is the A) generator B) turbine C) condensor D) boiler E) Smokestack

A) generator

____ is likely to reduce the efficiency of a power plant A) Increasing the capacity factor of the plant B) Using anthracite coal instead of bituminous coal C) Shutting off a turbine driven by exhaust gases D) Pumping water from a nearby stream into the condenser E) Releasing the ash residues into the environment

C) Shutting off a turbine driven by exhaust gases

More commonly used in the least developed countries than in highly developed countries A) Photovoltaics B) Geothermal C) Biomass D) Hydroelectric E) Hydrogen fuel

C) biomass

Some automobiles in the United States are fueled by natural gas. What is the primary environmental advantage of natural gas relative to gasoline as a transportation fuel? A) The US has 60% of the world's proven natural gas reserves B) Natural gas is a renewable resource that is usually produced from corn and other agricultural products C) When natural gas is burned in an automobile engine, the only emission product is water vapor D) Natural gas combustion emits fewer pollutants E) There is an extensive retail distribution network for natural gas so that natural gas is available at most gas stations

D) Natural gas combustion emits fewer pollutants

Which of the following is a characteristic of nonrenewable energy sources that distinguishes them from renewable energy sources? A) The construction of power plants that use nonrenewable energy sources is typically more expensive than the construction of those that use renewable energy sources. B) Nonrenewable energy sources are typically less harmful to wildlife and ecosystems than renewable energy sources are. C) Nonrenewable energy sources typically require additional new technology in order to be used than renewable energy sources do. D) Nonrenewable energy sources typically take a longer time to replenish than renewable energy sources do.

D) Nonrenewable energy sources typically take a longer time to replenish than renewable energy sources do.

Which of the following is the best example of an energy storage element in a solar energy system? A) The photovoltaic array in a solar electric system B) The overhang that blocks sunlight in a passively cooled home C) The insulated windows in a passively heated solar home D) The sun-tracking mirrors in a power tower system E) The hot water tank in a solar hot water system

E) The hot water tank in a solar hot water system

Which of the following is a drawback to using biofuels, such as ethanol, as a fuel source? A) There is high energy investment in producing and processing the crops needed for ethanol production. B) The global demand for biofuels is continually decreasing. C) Ethanol-blended gasoline has higher carbon emissions than petroleum alone. D) Ethanol-blended gasoline increases the likelihood of freezing gas lines in winter months.

A) There is high energy investment in producing and processing the crops needed for ethanol production.

Converts solar energy directly into electrical energy A) Photovoltaics B) Geothermal C) Biomass D) Hydroelectric EO Hydrogen fuel

A) photovoltaics

Some solar energy systems produce high-temperature water for industrial applications and produce steam to run turbines that generate electricity. What type of solar energy system is needed for these kinds of applications? A) A flat-panel solar collector system B) A solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight C) A passive solar system that uses building design to block summer sunlight D) A flat non-tracking array of photovoltaic panels E) A passive solar system that uses building design to collect winter sunlight

B) A solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight

Which of the following is an environmental problem associated with abandoned coal mines? A) Thermal pollution of streams in the area B) Acid drainage due to leaching of spoil heaps by rainwater C) Air pollution caused by smog from ozone formation D) Alkaline solutions that pollute streams E) Released nutrients that cause eutrophication into streams

B) Acid drainage due to leaching of spoil heaps by rainwater

Which of the following describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity? A) A chemical reaction occurs between the fossil fuel and oxygen to produce energy for the generation of electricity. B) Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere. C) The combustion of fossil fuels can heat water to convert the water into steam to turn turbines that are connected to electrical generators. D) Combustion reactions using fossil fuels require more energy than they produce and are therefore very inefficient.

B) Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere.

Which of the following best describes the first law of thermodynamics? A) Energy always changes from a more useful, more concentrated form to a less useful, less concentrated form. B) In a closed system of constant mass, the energy involved in any physical or chemical change is neither created nor destroyed, but merely changed from one form to another. C) Heat always flows from a hot body to a cold body. D) Entropy of a system increases as the state of disorganization in the system increases. E) In a reversible process, the entropy of the system is constant, whereas in an irreversible process, the entropy of the system increases.

B) In a closed system of constant mass, the energy involved in any physical or chemical change is neither created nor destroyed, but merely changed from one form to another.

Many environmentalists consider Egypt's Aswan High Dam on the Nile River to be an ecological disaster. Which of the following is the best evidence to support this viewpoint? A) The Aswan High Dam supplies one-third of the electrical power used in Egypt. B) Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam. C) Creation of the dam flooded important archaeological sites. D) Some countries upstream from the dam have diverted Nile River water for their own projects. E) Sardine populations near the Nile delta increased exponentially as a result of decreased annual rates of water flow.

B) Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam.

The separation of the various components of crude oil in refineries is accomplished primarily by taking advantage of differences in which of the following? A) The densities of the components B) The boiling points of the components C) The solubility of the components D) The sulfur content of the components E) The viscosities of the components

B) The boiling points of the components

Although nuclear energy is considered a cleaner energy source than fossil fuels, some scientists argue this does not support the claim that nuclear energy is renewable. Which of the following claims best supports the argument that nuclear energy is a nonrenewable energy source? A) Nuclear energy has low carbon emissions and does not contribute to global warming. B) The uranium deposits on Earth are finite. C) Nuclear energy is generated by the process of nuclear fission. Nuclear power plants convert water to steam, similar to fossil fuel-burning power plants.

B) The uranium deposits on Earth are finite.

Which of the following negative consequences is most often associated with using biomass for energy production? A) Using biomass for energy production can increase salinization in agricultural fields. B) Using biomass for energy production can result in local deforestation. C) Using biomass for energy production releases carbon sequestered in fossil fuels into the atmosphere. D) Using biomass for energy production requires long-term storage for radioactive waste.

B) Using biomass for energy production can result in local deforestation

A major limitation of using photovoltaic cells to generate electricity is that they A) do not produce as much CO2 as other energy sources do B) do not produce as much electricity on cloudy days C) have no moving parts D) present a danger to birds and bats E) cannot be connected to the electrical grid

B) do not produce as much electricity on cloudy days

Which of the following statements about geothermal energy is accurate? A) Steam from underground sources must be condensed before it can be used aboveground. B) While geothermal energy can heat buildings directly, it is not used to generate electricity. C) The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface. D) In some parts of the world, geothermal sources are used to power steam locomotives.

C) The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface.

Which of the following best describes an advantage of burning biomass rather than burning fossil fuels in developing countries? A) Biomass production requires less open space than fossil fuel extraction does, so land is available for other purposes. B) Burning biomass is associated with fewer human respiratory concerns than fossil fuels are because it does not give off sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. C) Burning biomass is more efficient than burning fossil fuels, providing more available energy from less of the resource. D) Biomass production is cheaper than fossil fuel extraction, making it more readily available for use.

D) Biomass production is cheaper than fossil fuel extraction, making it more readily available for use.

Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of geothermal energy production? A) Geothermal energy production is a significant source of noise pollution. B) Geothermal energy is weather dependent and can be generated only at certain times of the year. C) Geothermal energy generation costs remain stable when gas and oil prices increase. D) Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps.

D) Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps.

Which of the following best describes a benefit of increasing the number of offshore wind farms rather than onshore wind farms? A) Offshore wind farms will consume less water during operation than wind farms on land because the turbines require less steam for electricity generation. B) Offshore wind farms will decrease the maintenance costs associated with electricity generation because they are cheaper to operate than wind farms on land. C) Offshore wind farms will emit less carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide than wind farms on land because they are farther from urban areas. D) Offshore wind farms produce up to 3X as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore.

D) Offshore wind farms produce up to 3X as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore.

Current proven global reserves are expected to be largely exhausted within the next 50 years A) Uranium-238 B) Coal C) Natural gas D) Oil E) Solar

D) Oil

Construction of a solar power plant is proposed for a desert area near a school. A student has hypothesized that the shade cast by the solar panels will increase the mortality of creosote bush, a native desert plant in the area. Before construction begins, what experimental data should the student collect in order to eventually test the hypothesis? A) The rate of increase in atmospheric CO2 worldwide (in ppm) that occurs in the 12-month period prior to the start of construction. B) Average noise levels (in decibels) at a construction site, compared to average noise levels in the desert 20 km away from the construction site. C) The rate of wind-caused soil erosion (in kg/yr) near solar panels at a similar desert location where creosote bush grows. D) The direct sunlight received by creosote bush in the desert area (in kWh/m2) during a 12-month period E) The changes in monthly precipitation (in mm/yr) at a similar desert location where creosote bush grows.

D) The direct sunlight received by creosote bush in the desert area (in kWh/m2) during a 12-month period

Which of the following best describes the method of vehicle transport that is the most environmentally sustainable? A) The use of a vehicle powered by biodiesel because it can be used in conjunction with traditional diesel B) The use of a vehicle powered by ethanol because corn is grown to produce energy rather than for human consumption C) The use of a plug-in hybrid vehicle because the fuel sources do not release any carbon dioxide D) The use of a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells because there are no carbon emissions

D) The use of a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells because there are no carbon emissions

An advantage of using natural gas, rather than oil or coal, as a fuel is that natural gas is A) less of a contributor to global warming because it does not release and CO2 when it burns B) less expensive because most reserves are in the United States and importing is not necessary C) more abundant because it is a by-product of photosynthesis D) cleaner because it burns more completely and does not contain as many impurities E) safe to store because it is a gas

D) cleaner because it burns more completely and does not contain as many impurities

Buildings designed to partially heat rooms by passive solar heating rely on A) solar cells to generate electricity to power a heater in the room B) solar collectors to warm water that is pumped into the room C) warm water pumped from underground to warm the room D) materials that absorb and store solar energy to warm the room

D) materials that absorb and store solar energy to warm the room