Unit 6 Progress Check: MCQ

Which of the following best describes a potential advantage of using geothermal energy instead of solar farms for power generation?

Geothermal energy can be harnessed without destroying large tracts of habitat, whereas solar farms require large amounts of space

Geothermal energy is used to run large and complex power stations as well as small and relatively simple pumping systems. Which of the following most accurately explains how geothermal energy is produced and utilized in these applications?

Geothermal energy uses the natural insulating power of Earth to create temperature differentials that are used to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using hydrogen fuel cells?

Hydrogen gas is not readily available on Earth.

Which of the following best explains energy transformation in hydrogen fuel cells?

Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water, which releases energy.

Wind energy is increasingly relied upon to help meet global energy needs. Wind energy can be used to generate electricity using wind turbines. Which of the following correctly identifies the sequence of energy conversions that occur in a wind turbine?

Kinetic energy→ mechanical energy→ electrical energy

A hydrogen fuel cell-powered car driving on a highway is different from gasoline-powered cars because hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars only emit

water vapor and heat

Which of the following best identifies a benefit of using renewable energy sources rather than nonrenewable energy sources?

Renewable energy sources are replenishable and are virtually inexhaustible by human consumption, whereas nonrenewable sources do not form in a short period of time

Which of the following correctly depicts the nuclear chain reaction that occurs in a nuclear power plant?

They are all neutrons

Which of the following is an example of the process of cogeneration?

Using wastewater from electricity production for heating homes

Which of the following best describes an environmental problem that is often linked to the process of fracking?

Wastewater from fracking operations is injected into porous rock formations, which can induce seismic activity.

Wind energy is increasingly relied upon to help meet global energy needs. Wind energy can be used to generate electricity using wind turbines. Which of the following best describes electricity generation using wind turbines?

Wind turbines can be constructed on either vertical or horizontal axes.

Which of the following best describes why people in less developed countries use wood as a primary energy source?

Wood, in the form of firewood and charcoal, is often readily available.

After the Industrial Revolution, the use of fossil fuels increased significantly. Despite the documented environmental effects of these resources and the availability of renewable resources, the use of nonrenewable sources continues. Which of the following statements best explains why there is continued widespread use of nonrenewable fossil fuels in energy production in the United States?

Established technology and transportation infrastructure for fossil fuels allows these resources to be converted into energy to meet consumer demand.

Which of the following describes a step in the generation of electricity using fossil fuels that can most directly lead to an environmental problem?

Fossil fuel is burned to boil water.

Which of the following is required to convert geothermal energy into electricity?

Groundwater

Which of the following statements best describes a difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy sources?

Renewable energy sources can be replaced naturally at current consumption rates, whereas nonrenewable energy sources cannot be replaced easily.

Which of the following statements correctly describes a difference between biomass-fired power plants and traditional fossil-fuel-burning power plants, such as coal-fired plants?

The operational costs of biomass plants are very high when compared with traditional fossil fuel plants.

Wind energy is increasingly relied upon to help meet global energy needs. Wind energy can be used to generate electricity using wind turbines. Which of the following are often used for energy storage of wind power?

batteries

Which of the following best describes a potential negative environmental effect of fossil fuel extraction?

Air pollutants, such as methane and particulate matter, are emitted into the atmosphere.

Which of the following is an environmental benefit associated with substituting ethanol for gasoline?

Burning ethanol produces fewer air pollutants than burning gasoline alone.

Which of the following identifies the air pollutants most commonly released during the burning of biomass?

Carbon dioxide( CO2CO2 ), particulate matter( PMPM ), and carbon monoxide ( COCO )