ch 20

How much longer will the oil reserves of the world (not including oil sands or shale oil) provide petroleum for us? A) Approximately 40 to 50 years B) 100 years, as long as we use as much as possible C) We cannot determine how long oil will last. D) A maximum of 10 years E) Forever; oil is a sustainable resource

A) Approximately 40 to 50 years

Why do many people object to obtaining fossil fuels through the process of fracking? A) Chemicals in fracking fluids can leak into groundwater and contaminate drinking water supplies. B) Fracking is so expensive, it could cause layoffs and job losses. C) Fracking could affect coal deposits, causing them to leak more toxic wastes. D) Because it occurs in other countries, it could increase U.S. dependence on these countries for our energy sources. E) Fracking could compete with liquid petroleum sources, causing wells to shut down.

A) Chemicals in fracking fluids can leak into groundwater and contaminate drinking water supplies.

What is significant about the idea of "peak oil"? A) Once peak oil has been reached, production declines, causing shortages and negative economic effects. B) At this point, supply increases, which reduces the cost of production. C) At this point, 25% of the available oil has been withdrawn. D) Any nation that has reached this point is well on its way to becoming energy independent. E) It describes the average number of barrels of oil extracted from a field.

A) Once peak oil has been reached, production declines, causing shortages and negative economic effects.

When discussing fossil fuels, what is a "proven reserve"? A) The quantity of fuel that could be recovered from known deposits using current technology at current prices B) The quantity of fuel that could be recovered from known deposits using current technology at government-subsidized prices C) The quantity of fuel that could be recovered from unknown deposits using current technology at current prices D) The quantity of fuel that could not be recovered from known deposits using current technology at current prices E) The quantity of fuel that could be recovered from known deposits using older technology at government subsidized prices

A) The quantity of fuel that could be recovered from known deposits using current technology at current prices

Which of the following is the correct definition for "strip mining"? A) Topsoil and layers of rock are removed to access coal from less than 200 feet belowground. B) Scrubbers of factories "strip" particulates and other pollutant gases while coal is burned. C) The entire top of a mountain is "stripped" of vegetation and removed by dynamite.

A) Topsoil and layers of rock are removed to access coal from less than 200 feet belowground.

The United States can become less dependent on foreign oil through many ways. Which of the following is NOT a way the United States can become more oil independent? A) We can develop other sources of fossil fuels. B) All of the listed answers are ways that the United States can become less dependent on foreign oil. C) We can increase the fuel efficiency of our transportation system.

B) All of the listed answers are ways that the United States can become less dependent on foreign oil.

How did the United States respond to oil shortages caused by the OPEC oil embargo of the 1970s? A) The United States increased fuel efficiency standards for vehicles. B) All of these are ways the United States responded to the OPEC oil embargo of the 1970s. C) The United States started storing oil. D) The United States increased domestic oil production. E) The United States supported increased oil production in non-OPEC countries.

B) All of these are ways the United States responded to the OPEC oil embargo of the 1970s.

When burned, which fossil fuel is the most significant contributor to climate change? A) Nuclear power B) Coal C) Petroleum D) Natural gas E) None of them emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

B) Coal

How many years of natural gas resources does the earth have left? A) 100 years B) 450 years C) About 65 years D) 125 years

C) About 65 years

Why do many people object to constructing the keystone XL pipeline? A) Joint deals with Canada for oil are prohibited by NATO. B) Canada is hesitant to export so much of its energy sources. C) It would cross over recharge zones for the Ogallala Aquifer. D) The maple syrup industry in Canada would collapse from deforestation. E) It is currently not technologically possible to transport oil along a pipeline.

C) It would cross over recharge zones for the Ogallala Aquifer.

Given our current rates of consumption, about how many years of coal reserves does the world have? A) 25 years B) We cannot determine this. C) Less than 300 years D) There is an infinite supply.

C) Less than 300 years

What is a problem with carbon capture and storage when dealing with the carbon dioxide emissions released through burning fossil fuels? A) Stored carbon dioxide may contaminate groundwater. B) It makes coal-produced energy more expensive. C) These are all problems with carbon capture and storage. D) There is uncertainty whether rock formations can hold carbon dioxide. E) There may be leakage of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

C) These are all problems with carbon capture and storage.

What is a problem with carbon capture and storage when dealing with the carbon dioxide emissions released through burning fossil fuels? A) There is uncertainty whether rock formations can hold carbon dioxide. B) It makes coal-produced energy more expensive. C) These are all problems with carbon capture and storage. D) Stored carbon dioxide may contaminate groundwater. E) There may be leakage of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

C) These are all problems with carbon capture and storage.

What is necessary for the formation of fossil fuels? A) Extreme pressure B) High temperatures C) Millions of years D) Microbial action E) All of these answers are correct.

D) All of these are correct

What is an "electric power grid"? A) Single power plants that supply electricity to a network of transmission lines and transformers B) Overhead transmission lines that deliver electricity to homes and industrial buildings C) Multiple power plants that supply electricity to a residential community D) Multiple power plants that supply electricity to a network of transmission lines and transformers E) Multiple power plants that supply electricity to a particular area

D) Multiple power plants that supply electricity to a network of transmission lines and transformers

__________ is the fossil fuel that releases the least CO2 when it is burned, and __________ is the fossil fuel that releases the most CO2 when it is burned. A) Natural gas; oil B) Oil; coal C) Ethanol; nuclear energy D) Natural gas; coal E) Coal; natural gas

D) Natural gas; coal

What are the four major categories that are serviced by fossil fuels, particularly in developed nations? A) Transportation, agriculture, residential/commercial, and electricity B) Industry, residential/commercial, electricity, and technology C) Transportation, residential/commercial, industry, and agriculture D) Transportation, industry, residential/commercial, and electricity

D) Transportation, industry, residential/commercial, and electricity

Why did the Deepwater Horizon accident occur? A) Geologists lack the expertise and experience to drill in shallow waters. B) As an onshore facility, the Deepwater Horizon platform was not stabilized, which caused the pipes to rupture. C) The rig was old and out of date. D) We need to develop wells in deeper water and deeper below the seafloor in order to keep production up. E) Pipes rusted on the oil rig and sprung leaks.

D) We need to develop wells in deeper water and deeper below the seafloor in order to keep production up.

We can reduce our dependence on other nations for oil supplies in many ways. Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce our dependence on other countries for oil supplies? A) Increase domestic production B) Increase the fuel efficiency of our cars so we get more miles per gallon of gasoline C) Develop nonconventional sources of oil, such as oil sands D) Use ethanol or other alternatives to gasoline for our vehicles E) Become friends with Middle Eastern countries

E) Become friends with Middle Eastern countries

Why did OPEC cut production and decrease its oil supplies all through the 1970s? A) OPEC wanted to punish the United States for not supporting Israel enough. B) OPEC is strongly interested in renewable sources of energy. C) OPEC wanted the United States to become more energy independent. D) OPEC wanted to assure the American public that there was nothing to panic about. E) By limiting oil production, OPEC was able to keep supplies tight enough to force the price of oil to increase.

E) By limiting oil production, OPEC was able to keep supplies tight enough to force the price of oil to increase.

Which of the following is NOT a significant environmental impact of using coal? A) Exhaust and fly ash from coal fires contain many toxic chemicals. B) Mine tailings contain sulfide, which can form sulfuric acid runoff that destroys streams. C) The debris from mountaintop removal permanently buries hundreds of miles of streams, destroying wildlife habitat. D) Thousands of coal miners suffer from respiratory diseases caused by inhaling coal dust. E) Terrestrial ecosystems are permanently destroyed from strip mining.

E) Terrestrial ecosystems are permanently destroyed from strip mining.

Why are coal, petroleum, and natural gas called "fossil fuels"? A) The name has no relation to what fossil fuels are. B) They were found while searching for dinosaur remains. C) The fuels are derived from fossilized bones. D) They were first discovered by Albert Fossil. E) They are derived from the remains of living organisms that existed millions of years ago.

E) They are derived from the remains of living organisms that existed millions of years ago.

What of the following is NOT an environmental consequence of mining for oil sands? A) Forests are destroyed or degraded. B) Large amounts of greenhouse gases are emitted. C) Toxic wastewater results from extraction. D) Wetlands are destroyed. E) Water, a by-product of extraction, causes significant erosion.

E) Water, a by-product of extraction, causes significant erosion.