Renewable energy
Which of the following would be the best location for a wind farm with ten industrial turbines? A: Adjacent to a wetland area with a large migratory avian population in the fall and spring B: Scattered throughout a residential neighborhood where strong wind gusts are common C: Just outside a town near a cave housing a large bat population D: Arranged uniformly on a local farm that has fields and pastureland for dairy and grain production
D: Arranged uniformly on a local farm that has fields and pastureland for dairy and grain production
Which of the following energy sources is not derived directly or indirectly from solar energy? A; Geothermal B; Photovoltaic C: Hydroelectric D: Biomass E: Wind
A; Geothermal
:The graphs below show the energy output of one kilowatt of photovoltaic (PV)capacity of different PV panel systems over a day (graph on the left) and the annual energy production (graph on the right) of the same systems. Dual-axis tracking means that the PV panels are constantly moving to always face the Sun directly. If the PV panels are tilted in a fixed position, the direction of tilt is indicated. Flat PVpanels are not tilted in any direction. If peak electricity use occurs around 2p.m. in the Los Angeles area and avoiding brownouts is more important to the installers of the PV panels than annual energy output, which of the following PV panel systems would be best to use in the area? A: No tracking, tilted south B: No tracking, tilted west C: No tracking, tilted east D: No tracking, flat
B: No tracking, tilted west
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 is a way for the government to encourage efficient energy use? A: Requiring higher fuel economy standards for new cars B: Implementing government subsidies to keep gasoline prices low C: Raising the speed limit from 55 to 70 miles per hour D: Limiting the development of public transportation systems E: Removing all taxes from gasoline at the fuel pump
A: Requiring higher fuel economy standards for new cars
Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they A: use the heat from Earth's interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity and then can be pumped back into the ground B: can be built for use in any location where surface drilling is possible and construction of geothermal plants increases land stability C: use the heat from Earth's interior to directly heat buildings and houses and give off no greenhouse gasses D: do not give off hazardous air pollutants into the atmosphere and require very little water
A: use the heat from Earth's interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity and then can be pumped back into the ground
A) Photovoltaics (B) Geothermal (C) Biomass (D) Hydroelectric (E) Hydrogen fuel Drawbacks include noise and the release of corrosive chemicals? A: Photovoltaics B: Geothermal C: Biomass D: Hydroelectric
B: Geothermal
Which of the following accurately describes a fuel cell vehicle? A: Fuel cell vehicles run on both an internal combustion engine and a backup battery. B: Fuel cell vehicles are able to convert waste oil from the food industry into ethanol, which is burned as a source of power. C: Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity that runs the motor. D: Fuel cell vehicles generate energy by creating a flow of electrons in a semiconducting material such as silicon. E: Fuel cell vehicles use methane to heat water, which creates steam that turns a turbine to generate electricity.
C: Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity that runs the motor.
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 implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps. C: Geothermal energy generation costs remain stable when gas and oil prices increase. D: Geothermal energy is weather dependent and can be generated only at certain times of the year.
B: Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps.
Which of the following is a true statement about passive solar heating? A: It is effective only during the summer months. B: It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect. C: It is not used to heat commercial buildings. D: It is not efficient because it cannot produce high-quality energy. E: It produces more pollution than heating with an electric heat pump.
B: It is based in part on the principle of the greenhouse effect.
Which of the following statements about geothermal energy is accurate? A: While geothermal energy can heat buildings directly, it is not used to generate electricity. B: The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface. C: Steam from underground sources must be condensed before it can be used aboveground. D: In some parts of the world, geothermal sources are used to power steam locomotives.
B: The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface.
The graphs below show the energy output of one kilowatt of photovoltaic (PV)capacity of different PV panel systems over a day (graph on the left) and the annual energy production (graph on the right) of the same systems. Dual-axis tracking means that the PV panels are constantly moving to always face the Sun directly. If the PV panels are tilted in a fixed position, the direction of tilt is indicated. Flat PVpanels are not tilted in any direction. Which of the following PV panel systems is least effective at producing energy? A: Tracking, dual-axis B: No tracking, tilted south C: No tracking, tilted west D: No tracking, tilted east
D: No tracking, tilted east
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 winds farms will produce up to three times as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore.
D: Offshore winds farms will produce up to three times as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore.
(A) Photovoltaics (B) Geothermal (C) Biomass (D) Hydroelectric (E) Hydrogen fuel Converts solar energy directly into electrical energy A: Photovoltaics B: Geothermal C: Biomass D: Hydroelectric E: Hydrogen fuel
A: Photovoltaics
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 hydrogen fuel cells because there are no carbon emissions B: The use of a plug-in hybrid vehicle because the fuel sources do not release any carbon dioxide C: The use of a vehicle powered by biodiesel because it can be used in conjunction with traditional diesel D: The use of a vehicle powered by ethanol because corn is grown to produce energy rather than for human consumption
A: The use of a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells because there are no carbon emissions
Natural gas is often priced in units of dollars per therm. One therm equals 100,000 BTUs. A certain family uses 600 therms of energy to heat its home annually using a natural gas furnace that is 80 percent efficient. The family is considering replacing its current furnace with one that is 96 percent efficient. Assuming the cost of a therm is $0.30, which of the following would be the family's annual savings in the cost of home heating? A: $23.04 B: $28.80 C: $138.24 D: $172.80
B: $28.80
In many parts of the United States, homeowners use a significant portion of their energy budget to heat their home in the winter. It has been determined that lowering a thermostat by 3°F in the winter can reduce the energy costs by about 10 percent in many homes. An individual homeowner lowers their thermostat by 3 degrees exactly halfway through the billing period. For the month that the thermostat was lowered, the heating bill was $95. How much money did the family save in the month in which they lowered the thermostat setting halfway through the billing period? A: $2.85 B: $5.00 C: $9.50 D: $10.00
B: $5.00
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 the most practical solution to maximizing energy production at wind farms while minimizing the risk to wildlife? A: Turn on turbines only at night when most birds and bats are not flying. B: Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration. C: Turn on turbines only when winds are below 5mph. D: Limit the height of turbines to 10 meters and the width of the blades to 5 meters.
B: Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration.
An individual has been driving a passenger vehicle to work, averaging 60 miles a week in a car that averages 22 miles per gallon. The individual plans to purchase a hybrid vehicle that averages 50 miles per gallon. If the individual drives to work 50weeks a year, how much gas will they save if they switch to a hybrid vehicle for their commute? A: 28 gallons B: 60 gallons C: 76 gallons D: 107 gallons
C: 76 gallons
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.
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 actions would reduce global greenhouse emissions? A: Increasing the use of automobiles B: Decreasing the number of nuclear power plants C: Replacing coal-burning power plants with wind farms D: Converting tropical forests to rice paddies E: Switching from hydroelectric power generation to power generation using natural gas as the primary fuel
C: Replacing coal-burning power plants with wind farms
The graphs below show the energy output of one kilowatt of photovoltaic (PV)capacity of different PV panel systems over a day (graph on the left) and the annual energy production (graph on the right) of the same systems. Dual-axis tracking means that the PV panels are constantly moving to always face the Sun directly. If the PV panels are tilted in a fixed position, the direction of tilt is indicated. Flat PV panels are not tilted in any direction. Which of the following statements is best supported by the data shown in the graph? A: PV panels that cannot track the Sun and are in a fixed position tilted to the east produce the most electricity daily and annually. B: Of the PV panels that cannot track the Sun, those in a fixed position tilted to the west produce more electricity daily and annually than do those in a fixed position tilted to the south. C: PV panels that cannot track the Sun and are in a fixed position tilted to the south produce the least electricity daily and annually. D: PV panels that can track the Sun and are constantly moving to always directly face the Sun produce the most electricity daily and annually.
D: PV panels that can track the Sun and are constantly moving to always directly face the Sun produce the most electricity daily and annually.
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 CO 2 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 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.
D: The energy needed to produce the hydrogen fuel may come from fossil fuels, whose use contributes to ocean acidification and global climate change.
Biomass Wind Tidal energy Nuclear fission Sunlight The source that is converted directly into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells?
Sunlight