APES U7
Purity is a major factor in determining the type of coal used for energy. Which of the following types of coal are correctly paired with a description of its purity and common use? (A) Anthracite is considered the highest grade coal because it is almost pure carbon, and it is often used for domestic heating. (B) Coking coal is most widely available and contains 60-86% carbon, which makes it ideal for use in coal power plants. (C) Steam coal has a high carbon content with low amounts of impurities, which makes it ideal for use in the steel industry. (D) Lignite is the most mature and purest form of coal, and it is often used for large-scale power generation.
(A) Anthracite is considered the highest grade coal because it is almost pure carbon, and it is often used for domestic heating.
Petroleum or crude oil can be refined using different boiling points into petrochemical products included all of the following EXCEPT (A) Jet fuel, gasoline, and heating oil (B) Medicines, pesticides, and fertilizers (C) Charcoal, computer chips, and ceramics (D) Synthetic fibers, paints, and plastics (E) Asphalt, grease, and wax
(C) Charcoal, computer chips, and ceramics
Which of the following wastes the most energy? (A) Coal burning power plants (B) Internal combustion engine (C) Incandescent light bulb (D) Nuclear fission power plant (E) Industrialized meat production
(C) Incandescent light bulb
Energy Efficiency can be improved by all of the following measures EXCEPT (A) Insulated walls and roofs (B) Low-wattage compact florescent or LED light bulbs (C) Increasing the thickness, weight, and sturdiness of cars (D) Cogeneration of heat and power (E) Using thermostats with timers on household heating/cooling that alter settings while occupants are out or sleeping
(C) Increasing the thickness, weight, and sturdiness of cars
Which of the following best describes the conditions under which peat is formed? (A) Partially decayed vegetation is placed under low-pressure, aerobic, acidic conditions. (B) Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, alkaline conditions. (C) Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions. (D) Partially decayed vegetation is placed under low-pressure, aerobic, alkaline conditions.
(C) Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions.
The aspects of this energy generation shared by wind, hydroelectric, and fossil fuel plants is: (A) The pumps and coolant (B) The coolant and control rods (C) The turbines and generator (D) The turbines and heat exchanger (E) Containment shell and reactor
(C) The turbines and generator
Which of the following best describes an environmental problem associated with hydrologic fracturing, or fracking? (A) Fracking has led to an increase in the production of oil and natural gas, lowering energy prices. (B) Fractures in the shale will close up once the fracking fluid is removed unless fine particles, like sand, are introduced to hold them open. (C) The products of fracking release more carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds into the atmosphere than other fossil fuels. (D) Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater.
(D) Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater.
All of the following are true of oil shale EXCEPT (A) It is an oily-rock (B) It contains hydrocarbons called kerogen (C) It must be processed to remove excess sulfur, nitrogen and other impurities (D) It has a high net energy (E) It requires a lot of water for processing
(D) It has a high net energy
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 energy sources is not derived directly or indirectly from solar energy?
Geothermal
This type of energy utilizes heat that is stored beneath Earth's surface to heat water and produce steam
Geothermal energy
Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of geothermal energy production?
Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps
Used to provide electricity to homes, buildings, and the grid (A) Solar thermal system (B) Passive solar heating system (C) Active solar heating system (D) Photovoltaic cells (E) Sun-effector ray station
(A) Solar thermal system
Which of the following statements correctly explains the role of fossil fuels in the production of energy? (A) The combustion of fossil fuels heats water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine. (B) The steam released from the combustion of fossil fuels turns a generator, which then powers a turbine. (C) The heat released from burning fossil fuels rises and turns a turbine, which then releases carbon dioxide. (D) Steam produced from a turbine ignites the fossil fuels, which then powers the generator.
(A) The combustion of fossil fuels heats water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine.
The issue around the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is (A) The need to find more domestic oil supplies on balance with the health of an area set aside to be a place for wildlife (B) Whether or not this new resource will allow the US to become free of dependence on foreign oil (C) If the Tar Sand reserves will require more money to refine and transport to the lower 48 states than they are worth (D) Whether the continued dependence on fossil fuels will increase climate change to such an extent that this fragile northern habitat will soon be inundated with sea water
(A) The need to find more domestic oil supplies on balance with the health of an area set aside to be a place for wildlife
Tidal energy (A) Uses a hydroelectric dam across the opening of a bay to capture the ebb and flood water movement (B) Floating turbines that move in and out of beaches with the tide (C) Kinetic pads which can be placed off shore and capture the energy of water movement (D) Flippers attached to buoys which capture the kinetic energy of waves which push them up and down (E) Attached to off shore oil rigs to aid in the running of drills
(A) Uses a hydroelectric dam across the opening of a bay to capture the ebb and flood water movement
Which of the following negative environmental impacts is NOT associated with coal burning? (A) Waste products must be stored safely for 10,000 years (B) Carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide gases are emitted (C) The release of toxic heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic (D) Releasing of radioactive particles into the air (E) Open-pit mining and sometimes mountain top removal in order to acquire reserves
(A) Waste products must be stored safely for 10,000 years
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.
The benefits of using anthracite, a hard coal, verses other softer coal sources such as bitumous include: (A)It burns at a lower temperature (B) It has a lower sulfur content (C) It produces no ash when combusted (D)It is the most plentiful type of coal (E) It is the easiest type of coal to mine and transport
(B) It has a lower sulfur content
The fossil fuels that are often harvested together are (A) Oil and Coal only (B) Oil and Conventional natural gas only (C) Coal and Conventional natural gas only (D) Uranium, and Shale oil (E) Oil, Coal, and Uranium
(B) Oil and Conventional natural gas only
Hydrothermal reservoirs supply (A) Highly heated water and steam that spin turbines to generate energy (B) Recreational areas behind hydroelectric dam sites (C) H2S supply to burn and generate energy (D) Reserves of natural gas which can be transported in pipelines (E) Methane hydrate that can be used to produce electricity
(B) Recreational areas behind hydroelectric dam sites
Which of the following explains why some energy sources are renewable? (A)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. (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 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.
Net energy is (A) When waste heat energy from a coal-burning power plant is used to heat greenhouses (B) The total energy available minus the energy needed to find, extract, and process the energy (C) Created by refining crude oil multiple uses can be harvested (D) Used to move the control rods in light-water nuclear reactors (E) Energy collected in the filters of emissions towers in coal-fired power plants
(B) The total energy available minus the energy needed to find, extract, process the energy
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. (D) Nuclear power plants convert water to steam, similar to fossil fuel-burning power plants.
(B) The uranium deposits on Earth are finite.
Net energy (A) Is the total energy used per household (B) Is the energy that can be co-generated at power plants when waste heat is collected and used (C) Is a means of measuring energy efficiency in which the energy required at each step and conversion is taken into account (D) The energy which can be captured by grated tidal turbines (E) Ratio of the amount of energy in divided by the amount of energy out
(C) Is a means of measuring energy efficiency in which the energy required at each step and conversion is taken into account
Which of the following is considered the main disadvantage of using hydrogen fuel? (A) The bi-product of its combustion is water (B) Current technology leaves us with a low to negative net energy (C) It is difficult to store the fuel (D) It needs water to produce fuel (E) It is considered nontoxic
(D) It needs water to produce fuel
There is current interest in smaller second-generation Advanced Light-Water Reactors (ALWRs) because they I. Gas-cooled reactors can be used to decompose water into hydrogen fuel II. Passive safety features render the threat of meltdowns or explosions near impossible III. Eliminate the expense and hazards of long term storage of hazardous materials by using plutonium-239 instead of uranium-238 (A) I only (B) II only (C) II and III only (D) I and II only (E) I, II, and III
(D)I and II only
Use a series of collection tubes and pumps to heat water for homes, pools, etc (A) Solar thermal system (B) Passive solar heating system (C) Active solar heating system (D) Photovoltaic cells (E) Sun-effector ray station
(D)Photovoltaic cells
All of the following are possible disadvantages of moving to biofuels EXCEPT (A) May compete with food growing (B) Crops are grown using green revolution practices (C) Decrease in biodiversity from conversion of forests and grasslands to plantation cultivation (D) Engines may be difficult to start in cold weather (E) CO2 emissions are considered carbon neutral
(E) CO2 emissions are considered carbon neutral
High net energy power source I. Hydropower II. Windmills III. Geothermal steam power plant IV. Photovoltaic cells V. Hydrogen fuel cell (A) II only (B) III only (C) IV only (D) I, II, IV and V only (E) I, II, III and IV only
(E) I, II, III and IV only
Electrical energy is generated by kinetic energy moving a turbine, which then works a generator I. Hydropower II. Windmills III. Geothermal steam power plant IV. Photovoltaic cells V. Hydrogen fuel cell (A) I only (B) II only (C) V only (D) I, and III only (E) I, II, and III
(E) I, II, and III
Non-renewable energy source(s) that are actually using ancient sun energy: (A) Oil and Coal only (B) Oil and Conventional natural gas only (C) Coal and Conventional natural gas only (D) Uranium, and Shale oil (E) Oil, Coal, Conventional natural gas, and Uranium
(E) Oil, Coal, Conventional natural gas and Uranium
All of the following are disadvantages of using nuclear energy EXCEPT (A) No long term safe storage is available for wastes (B) If breached, the leak of radioactivity is very harmful to life (C) High costs to operate a facility (D) Large amounts of water are required and results in thermal pollution (E) On-site air pollution releases
(E) On-site air pollution releases
In an apartment building, exhaust from a gas-powered electrical generator is captured to produce hot water to heat a swimming pool. Which of the following is illustrated by this process?
Cogeneration
Scientists are looking for new locations to generate electricity using geothermal energy. Which of the following locations would be the best choice for a geothermal energy generating plant?
Near tectonic plate boundaries
Which of the following best describes a benefit of increasing the number of offshore wind farms rather than onshore wind farms?
Offshore winds farms will produce up to three times as much electricity as wind farms on land because of increased wind speeds offshore
Which of the following actions would reduce global greenhouse emissions?
Replacing coal-burning power plants with wind farms
Which of the following best describes how the use of hydrogen fuel negatively impacts the environment?
The energy needed to produce the hydrogen fuel may come from fossil fuels, whose use contributes to ocean acidification and global climate change
Which of the following best describes the method of vehicle transport that is the most environmentally sustainable?
The use of a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells because there are no carbon emissions
Which of the following is the most practical solution to maximizing energy production at wind farms while minimizing the risk to wildlife?
Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration
uses the sun's energy to heat a liquid, which then heats a building
active solar heating
energy that does not come from fossil fuels and that is still in development
alternative energy
Geothermal heat pumps can heat homes by
circulating fluid underground to absorb heat from Earth
production of two useful forms of energy from the same fuel source
cogeneration
What would increase energy efficiency in the United States? a. using public transportation and developing more efficient engines for vehicles b. turning thermostats down in winter and up in summer c. insulating homes and businesses d. all of the above
d. all of the above
The percentage of energy put into a system that does useful work is
energy efficiency
combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electrical energy
fuel cell
Which element might be the fuel of the future?
hydrogen
One disadvantage of wind energy is that
it must be transported from its source to where it is needed
uses low pressure and warm water to boil cold water
ocean thermal energy conversion
uses the sun's energy to heat a building directly
passive solar heating
uses the sun's energy and a semiconductor to produce a very small amount of electrical energy
photovoltaic cell
A geothermal power plant gets energy by
pumping heated water or steam from geothermal reserves
Wind, moving water, sunlight, and heat from Earth's interior are sources of
renewable energy
All sources of energy including renewable sources have an effect on the environment
true
Nearly all renewable energy comes from the sun
true
A lifestyle change that can help conserve energy is
using less of any resource
Which of the following is a major source of biomass fuel in DEVELOPING countries?
wood and dung