APES Unit 6 Test

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?

$28.8

Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by five suggested answers or completions. Select the one that is best in each case. The following questions refer to the table below, which shows population, area, and energy use of several countries. On an annual basis, the per capita electricity usage in Ethiopia is approximately what percent of the per capita electricity usage in the United States?

0.2

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

1/128

A family of four lives in a three-bedroom house and uses an average of 900kWh of electricity per month. The family cools their house for three months during the summer with two window-unit air conditioners that each use 350kWh of electricity per month. Which of the following is the percentage of the family's total annual electricity that is used to run the two air conditioners for the three summer months?

19.4%

Based on the data in the graph, which of the following represents the total electricity production in the United States from all energy sources, in billions of kilowatt-hours, in 2017?

3.8 x 10^12 kWh

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?

30 years

The half-life of a radioactive substance with the decay rate shown in the graph above is closest to

7 seconds

Uranium-235 has a half-life of 710 million years. If it is determined that a certain amount of stored U-235 will be considered safe only when its radioactivity has dropped to 0.10 percent of the original level, approximately how much time must the U-235 be stored securely to be safe?

7.1 x 10^9 years

An automobile travels at an average speed of 55 miles per hour (mph) with a maximum speed of 65mph. It travels a distance of 75 miles and consumes a total of 2.8 gallons of fuel. Which of the following represents the correct calculation for the fuel efficiency of the automobile?

75 miles/2.8 gallons

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 50 weeks a year, how much gas will they save if they switch to a hybrid vehicle for their commute? Responses

76 gallons

Which of the following is the best example of cogeneration?

A coal-fired power plant captures waste heat and uses it to heat adjacent buildings.

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 solar collector system using mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight

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

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

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

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.

For the diagram below, assume fracking has not been used with the oil and gas well. Rock layer that can be porous but must have very low to no permeability

B

Which of the following will be the most likely consequence from the daily operation of a typical hydroelectric power plant?

Beach erosion will increase where the river meets the ocean downstream from the hydroelectric dam project.

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

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

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

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

Which of the following is the most successful solution to the problem of fish mortality caused by dams?

Building fish ladders around the dam

This is the location of the world's largest hydroelectric dam, with a generating capacity of 22,500 MW

C

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

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 countries has the largest coal reserves?

China

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

Coal, oil, and natural gas

Which of the following is the primary environmental problem associated with the use of nuclear power to generate electricity?

Disposal of radioactive waste

Which of the following is the most valid inference regarding electricity production, based on the graph above?

Electricity production from coal began to decrease in 2008 because of the increasing use of natural gas and renewable energy.

The diagram shows a power plant designed to generate electricity for a nearby city. Based on the diagram, which processes would provide the energy used to generate electricity at the power plant?

Fission in radioactive fuel

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

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

Which of the following accurately describes a fuel cell vehicle?

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

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.

Extraction of natural gas by the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is most likely to result in which of the following environmental problems?

Groundwater contamination

Economic benefits of building large dams include which of the following? I. Storage of water for agriculture and domestic use II. Controlling floods upstream III. Production of renewable energy

I and III only

Which of the following most likely had a direct influence on the trend shown in the graph for the electricity generation from wind?

Increased subsidies for renewable energy

New York City has thousands of acres of rooftop space, but has been slower than other cities in utilizing solar power. Recently, though, large flat roofs are being transformed into sources of clean energy. This year, Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village installed the country's largest solar array on an apartment complex, and the Bronx may soon follow with an even larger one at Co-Op City. New York aims to generate 70% of its power from renewables by 2030. StuyTown's 9,000 panels added 3.9 megawatts, doubling Manhattan's solar capacity. State and city incentives have driven solar investments, although these projects still only cover a fraction of electricity needs. Based on the article, which of the following best identifies the author's claim?

Increased tax breaks and other financial incentives have been an important factor for increasing the number of installations of solar panels on New York City rooftops.

The table below shows regional electricity demands in 2016 and projected demands in 2040. Which of the following correctly pairs a region with its percent increase in electricity demand between 2016 and 2040?

India; 227%

A developer intends to use passive solar heating in a new construction project in Minnesota in an effort to reduce electricity costs for the property owners. Which of the following should be employed to maximize the benefit of passive solar heating?

Install south-facing glazed windows in the home and dark surfaces to cover the walls and floors.

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?

Installing effective ventilation systems in dwellings

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

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

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

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 PV panel systems is least effective at producing energy?

No tracking, tilted east

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. 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? Responses

No tracking, tilted west

Directions: 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

Nuclear Fission

Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources. 1. Biomass 2. Wind 3. Tidal energy 4. Nuclear fission 5. Sunlight The source that is not renewable:

Nuclear fission

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster led to the release of massive radiation, specifically iodine-131 and cesium-137, which has been connected to a variety of environmental problems in the 30 years following the disaster. Which of the following best describes the process of electricity generation at a nuclear power plant?

Nuclear power is generated through fission, which releases a large amount of heat. The heat is used to generate steam, which turns a turbine that powers a generator.

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.

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

Oil

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?

PV panels that can track the Sun and are constantly moving to always directly face the Sun produce the most electricity daily and annually.

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

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

Which of the following areas shown on the map of the United States has a history of coal deposits and is most likely to have mining operations?

Point B

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster led to the release of massive radiation, specifically iodine-131 and cesium-137, which has been connected to a variety of environmental problems in the 30 years following the disaster. A meltdown in which of the following structures at a nuclear power plant, such as Chernobyl, would most likely lead to the accidental release of radiation? Responses

Reactor core

Which of the following actions would reduce global greenhouse emissions?

Replacing coal-burning power plants with wind farms

Which of the following is a way for the government to encourage efficient energy use?

Requiring higher fuel economy standards for new cars

The diagram shows a power plant designed to generate electricity for a nearby city. Which of the following environmental problems is most often associated with electricity generation in the type of power plant illustrated in the diagram? Responses

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

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using nuclear energy as a source of electricity?

Spent fuel rods must be disposed of properly.

Directions: 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 converted directly into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells

Sunlight

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?

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?

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 is the best example of an energy storage element in a solar energy system?

The hot water tank in a solar hot water system

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

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

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?

The uranium deposits on Earth are finite.

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 a drawback to using biofuels, such as ethanol, as a fuel source?

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

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

There is no CO2 emitted from the nuclear reaction.

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

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

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

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

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.

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?

Uranium-235

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?

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.

An advantage of using natural gas, rather than oil, as a fuel is that natural gas is

cleaner because it burns more completely

Buildings designed to partially heat rooms by passive solar heating rely on

materials that absorb and store solar energy to warm the room

In contrast to low-level radioactive waste, most high-level radioactive waste is currently

stored at reactor sites

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

thermal pollution

Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they

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