Unit 6 Test: Environmental

Which of the structures in the diagram is the site where the nuclear power plant accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl occurred?

A) A

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.

Rock layer that can be porous but must have very low to no permeability

B) B

Which of the following describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate 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.

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?

B) Cogeneration

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

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

Rock layer that must be porous and have enough permeability for fluid to move through the layer

C) C

ON PAPER

ON PAPER

Throughout the world, especially the less-developed countries, burning wood or other biomass for heating or cooking in homes is common. One negative environmental impact of this practice is the production of particulates indoors, which can be a health hazard to humans. Which of the following describes the best strategy for mitigating this potential problem?

A) Installing effective ventilation systems in dwellings

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.

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

Which of the following would be most likely to be used as a fuel source for electricity generation in the plant displayed in the diagram?

A) Uranium-235

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

Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of geothermal energy production?

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

1. If peak electricity use occurs around 2 p.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

B) No tracking, tilted west

Which of the following statements is best supported by the data shown in the graph?

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.

Which of the following explains why some energy sources are renewable?

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

Which of the following statements about geothermal energy is accurate?

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

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?

B) The uranium deposits on Earth are finite.

Which of the following is the most practical solution to maximizing energy production at wind farms while minimizing the risk to wildlife?

B) Turn off turbines during periods of maximum migration.

Which of the following best explains the process of electricity generation in a hydrogen fuel cell?

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 describes the conditions under which peat is formed?

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

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

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

Which of the following gases is released from the structure labeled C in the diagram?

C) Water vapor

Which of the following would be the best location for a wind farm with ten industrial turbines?

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

Rock layer that must be rich in organic matter that was subjected to heat and pressure over time during the formation of oil and natural gas.

D) D

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

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

Which of the following PV panel systems is least effective at producing energy?

D) No Tracking, tilted east

Which of the following is a characteristic of nonrenewable energy sources that distinguishes them from renewable energy sources?

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

Which of the following best describes a benefit of increasing the number of offshore wind farms rather than onshore wind farms?

D) Offshore wind 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 best describes how the use of hydrogen fuel negatively impacts the environment?

D) The energy needed to produce the hydrogen fuel may come from fossil fuels, whose use contributes to ocean acidification and global climate change.