APES November 30th

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* biomass — wood —- deforestation. *

160

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 40 years and a radioactivity level of 4 curies. How many years will it take for the radioactivity level to become 0.25 curies? (Different numbers)

20 years (different numbers)

A sample of radioactive waste has a half-life of 10 years and an activity level of 2 curies. After how many years will the activity level of this sample be 0.25 curie?

Cellulose

All of the following substances are derived from petroleum EXCEPT

Cogeneration

An industry uses natural gas for manufacturing and uses the waste heat to produce electricity. This is an example of which of the following processes?

Fission in radioactive fuel

Based on the diagram, which processes would provide the energy used to generate electricity at the power plant?

Thermal pollution

Compared to a coal-fired power plant that produces the same amount of energy, a nuclear power plant generates more

stored at the power plant that produced it.

Currently, most high-level radioactive waste from nuclear reactors in the United States is

Fossil fuels such as coal

During the Cretaceous period of Earth's geological history, eastern Montana was covered with lowland swamps rich in plant life. These plants were buried and slowly decomposed. Which of the following resources would most likely be mined from the plant remains buried in eastern Montana during the Cretaceous?

1940

In approximately what year did oil and gas become the dominant fuels for the United States?

Biomass

In the majority of less developed countries, the major source of energy for domestic use is which of the following?

1910

In what year was the fraction of energy supplied by coal the greatest?

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

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?

Nuclear power can supply electricity, but it cannot replace other uses of oil and gas.

Nuclear power is a component of the line labeled "Other" in the graph. Why is it impossible for nuclear energy to completely replace oil and gas in the future?

Uranium - 235

Nuclear power plants produce electricity using energy from the radioactive decay of

Oil

Of the following sources, which supplies the most commercial energy in the world today?

Decrease the use of fossil fuels

One solution for reducing the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide would be to

Is more likely to be carbon-neutral

Relative to burning fossil carbon, the use of modern carbon for energy

Nuclear fission

Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources. Biomass Wind Tidal energy Nuclear fission Sunlight The source that is not renewable

Nuclear fission

Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources. Biomass Wind Tidal energy Nuclear fission Sunlight The source that produces long-lived hazardous wastes

A solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight

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?

1& 2 (D)

The environmental impacts of cutting down a forest to obtain wood as fuel for heating and cooking could include I. deforestation and subse-quent soil erosion. II. release of particulate matter into the air. III. a large net rise in atmo-spheric concentrations of sulfur dioxide.

The second law of thermodynamics

The fact that global transfer of energy from fuels to electricity is about 35 percent efficient is mostly a consequence of

1/128 (different numbers)

The half-life of radon gas is approximately four days. Four weeks after the introduction of radon into a sealed room, the fraction of the original amount remaining is closest to

Biomass and hydroelectricity

The primary sources of renewable energy in the United States are

The boiling points of the components

The separation of the various components of crude oil in refineries is accomplished primarily by taking advantage of differences in which of the following?

The temperature of the released water causes a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the reservoir.

The water used in this type of power plant is often released back into a reservoir. Which of the following effects could this released water have on the reservoir?

Geothermal energy

This type of energy utilizes heat that is stored beneath Earth's surface to heat water and produce steam.

C / Electricity generation is the largest end use of energy in the United States.

Which best describes U.S. energy use? (a) Transportation is the largest end use of energy in the United States. (b) Transportation is fueled mainly by coal. (c) Electricity generation is the largest end use of energy in the United States. (d) Electricity generation is powered mainly by nuclear energy. (e) Industry is the largest end use of energy in the United States.

Coal

Which fuel is most likely the least expensive fuel to produce? Biodiesel, coal, ethanol from corn, ethanol from sugarcane, natural gas

Groundwater contamination

Which is a disadvantage of natural gas?

Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity that runs the motor.

Which of the following accurately describes a fuel cell vehicle?

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 disadvantage of geothermal energy production?

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

Which of the following best describes an advantage of burning biomass rather than burning fossil fuels in developing countries?

Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater.

Which of the following best describes an environmental problem associated with hydrologic fracturing, or fracking?

Photons of light excite electrons that result in a flow of current.

Which of the following best describes how electricity is generated using photovoltaic cells?

A / The harvesting of hydrogen fuel from ocean sediments can result in damage to marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Which of the following best describes how the use of hydrogen fuel negatively impacts the environment? A The harvesting of hydrogen fuel from ocean sediments can result in damage to marine ecosystems and fisheries. B The transport of hydrogen fuel requires pipelines that can negatively impact terrestrial habitats, especially when these pipelines leak. C The combustion of hydrogen fuel releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to ocean acidification and global climate change. D The energy needed to produce the hydrogen fuel may come from fossil fuels, whose use contributes to ocean acidification and global climate change.

Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions.

Which of the following best describes the conditions under which peat is formed?

Biomass is the predominant fuel source because it is easily obtained locally.

Which of the following best describes the energy resource used most often for heating and cooking in less developed countries?

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

Which of the following best describes the method of vehicle transport that is the most environmentally sustainable?

C/ At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons flow in a circuit to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the hydrogen to produce water. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction.

Which of the following best explains the process of electricity generation in a hydrogen fuel cell? A At the cathode, water reacts with oxygen to release hydrogen and heat. Electricity is generated as the bonds form between hydrogen and oxygen. The by-product of the reaction is heat. B At the cathode, hydrogen is reduced and then electrons flow to the anode to generate electricity. Oxygen is produced at the cathode. Oxygen and heat are the by-products of the reaction. C At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons flow in a circuit to the cathode. At the cathode, oxygen reacts with the hydrogen to produce water. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction. D At the anode, hydrogen is oxidized and electrons pass through an electrolyte to the cathode. There, the protons react with water to produce oxygen. Water and heat are by-products of the reaction.

Flooding of forests and grasslands

Which of the following consequences of water impoundment for hydroelectric energy production is most likely to release greenhouse gases?

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 describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity?

Spent fuel rods are radioactive and must be disposed of properly.

Which of the following environmental problems is most often associated with electricity generation in the type of power plant illustrated in the diagram?

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

Which of the following is a drawback to using biofuels, such as ethanol, as a fuel source?

The manufacture of photovoltaic solar cells involves toxic metals that can be released into the environment.

Which of the following is a negative consequence associated with photovoltaic solar cells?

C/ When the brakes are applied in hybrid electric vehicles, kinetic energy is converted into electric energy to charge the batteries that assist the electric motor.

Which of the following is a reason why hybrid electric vehicles use less fossil fuel per mile traveled than a typical internal combustion engine vehicle uses? A Hybrid electric vehicles don't burn fossil fuels; they run on electric energy. B Hybrid electric vehicles are powered by the Sun using rooftop photovoltaic panels. C When the brakes are applied in hybrid electric vehicles, kinetic energy is converted into electric energy to charge the batteries that assist the electric motor. D Batteries in hybrid electric vehicles can be charged in the driveway overnight, when rates for electricity usage are typically low. E The engines in hybrid electric vehicles are powered by biofuels made from genetically modified corn.

It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect.

Which of the following is a true statement about passive solar heating?

Thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy and then to electrical energy, as in coal-burning power plants.

Which of the following is a true statement concerning the production of electricity in conventional nuclear power plants using fission reactors?

There will be more erosion than sediment deposition downstream from the hydroelectric dam.

Which of the following is an unintended consequence of the use of hydroelectric dams for electricity generation?

There is no CO2 emitted from the nuclear reaction

Which of the following is considered an advantage of using nuclear power to generate electricity?

Concentrated solar thermal plants, nuclear plants, windmills

Which of the following sources of electricity employ the use of turbines?

D / Fossil fuels continue to be the major energy source for all sectors.

Which statement best describes the sources of energy in U.S. energy consumption patterns? (a) Most of the renewable energy is used in the industrial, residential, and commercial sectors. (b) Most of the electricity generated in the United States comes from nuclear energy. (c) The industrial sector is heavily dependent on coal and renewable energy. (d) Fossil fuels continue to be the major energy source for all sectors. (e) The transportation sector uses the greatest amount of energy.

Coal, oil, and natural gas (fossil fuels)

Which three sources supply the majority of commercial energy in the world today?