Chapter 15
1. Used primarily in the United States for electricity generation: 2. Remains of ancient organisms, modified underground for long periods by temperature and pressure: 3. The world's most abundant fossil fuel: 4. A mixture of hundreds or thousands of different hydrocarbon molecules: 5. Primary fuel used in the United States for space and water heating: 6. Created very slowly and considered nonrenewable at current extraction rates: 7. Used primarily in the United States as a source of vehicle fuels: 8. Produces the least carbon dioxide per unit energy when combusted: coal oil natural gas coal, oil, and natural gas
1. coal 2. coal, oil, and natural gas 3. coal 4. oil 5. natural gas 6. coal, oil, and natural gas 7. oil 8. natural gas
Now calculate the total carbon content of the fossil fuel consumed in the year 1750 (assume 0.03 trillion kg C). How many times greater was the total carbon content of the fossil fuel consumed in 2000 than in 1750? 6 x 10-7 1.7 x 106 350,000,210 7.4 x 1010
1.7 x 106
Graphing: Fossil Fuels The red line represents annual human consumption of paleoproduction by fossil fuel combustion. The dashed line indicates current annual net primary production (NPP) for the entire planet. Estimate in what year the annual consumption of paleoproduction surpassed Earth's current annual NPP. 1850 1890 1920 1960
1890
Estimate in what year our consumption of paleoproduction reached 100 times Earth's current annual net primary production. 1850 1890 1920 1960
1960
If the paleoproduction consumption line reached a peak in 2000 and began to decline at the same rate it increased, in what year would we be at global net primary productivity again? 2040 2080 2110 2130
2110
If on average it takes 7,000 units of paleoproduction to produce 1 unit of fossil fuel, estimate the total carbon content of the fossil fuel consumed in the year 2000 (assume 50,000 trillion kg C consumption in 2000). 7 trillion kg C 7,000 trillion kg C 50,000 trillion kg C 3.5 x 108 trillion kg C
3.5 x 108 trillion kg C
Can you label the steps of energy production at a coal-fired power plant?
??
Both authors present their arguments for or against nuclear power as factual. Which of the following quotes is referenced to a specific source? A nuclear accident at the Indian Point 3 plant would cause an estimated 50,000 "peak fatalities." The overall "nuclear cycle" produces significant greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Nuclear energy is already cost-competitive, and trends point to falling nuclear prices and rising fossil fuel prices. Based on 12,500 reactor years of experience, nuclear power is the safest large-scale source of energy.
A nuclear accident at the Indian Point 3 plant would cause an estimated 50,000 "peak fatalities."
How does the burning of coal contribute to acid rain? Burning coal increases the probability of rain. Burning coal releases sulfur and nitrogen acids. Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Acidic pollutants from coal burning destroy the ozone layer.
Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.
Which of the following countries exports the most oil to the United States? Venezuela Saudi Arabia Kuwait Canada
Canada
Which of the following is most likely to support stricter federal regulations on fracking? Energy In Depth Chesapeake Energy Corporation Environmental Defense Fund Independent Petroleum Association of America
Environmental Defense Fund
You are a state senator on an energy task force. Your task force will recommend whether or not to pursue nuclear power for your state's growing energy needs. Based on the information in both essays, which of the following priorities would favor nuclear power? Fuel sustainability Low cost Safety Minimal greenhouse gas emissions
Fuel sustainability
When it comes to the pipeline, the same method used to cross the Missouri River is going to be used to cross the Mississippi River. What method is this? Going around it. Going through it. Going over it. Going under it.
Going under it.
Which of the following currently appears to be the best option for protecting groundwater in areas where fracking is taking place? Take the cement out of intermediate casings. Eliminate the use of intermediate casings. Take the steel out of intermediate casings. Increase the use of intermediate casings.
Increase the use of intermediate casings.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is most likely to get support from farmers in which of the following states that will be directly impacted by the pipeline? Nebraska Oklahoma Iowa Wyoming
Iowa
You are a toxicologist and discover that 2BE has the same effects in humans as in rodents. What does it do to humans? It causes tumors. It causes blindness. It causes skin rashes. It has no effect.
It causes tumors.
Which of the following is true regarding 2BE? It has been banned in the U.S. It is also approved for use as an insecticide. It is found in many household products. It is used only for fracking.
It is found in many household products.
Which of the following is true regarding carbon capture the way it is being done at Boundary Dam? While it requires energy input, it is highly efficient. It requires no energy input. It requires a lot of energy. It produces excess energy that is sold.
It requires a lot of energy.
If this pipeline is finished, what will happen once the oil makes it to Illinois? It will be refined into gasoline. It will be distributed to other pipelines and sent throughout the United States. It will be turned into natural gas. It will be sent to a power plant.
It will be distributed to other pipelines and sent throughout the United States.
What is the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration most likely to say about the Dakota Access Pipeline? They will not express an opinion on its safety. It will not be safe. It will be safe. Safety will be determined on a wait-and-see basis.
It will be safe.
Of the five countries shown, which ones have essentially no domestic oil production? A) Japan and the United States B) Iran and Saudi Arabia C) the United States and Germany D) Japan and Germany E) Germany and the United States
Japan and Germany
Where does the United States keep an emergency stockpile of oil? Chicago, Illinois Yucca Mountain, Nevada Louisiana Fort Knox
Louisiana
Karl Grossman suggests that a return to building nuclear power plants will have disastrous impacts. Which of the following impacts does he discuss in his essay? The potential for terrorist attacks on nuclear plants Laws that eliminate all liability for nuclear plant owners in case of an accident The radioactive waste from nuclear plants, which must be isolated for dozens of years The low probability of severe core melt accidents at U.S. atomic plants
The potential for terrorist attacks on nuclear plants
Compare and contrast the two essays. Which of the following topics represents a clear example of disagreement between the two authors? The use of nuclear power to replace imported oil The safety of nuclear power Transportation of nuclear materials The need for safe, clean energy
The safety of nuclear power
The country with the greatest differential between domestic production and total consumption is ________. A) Japan B) Germany C) the United States D) Iran E) Saudi Arabia
United States
John Ritch suggests that nuclear power is the only option for clean energy on a massive scale. Which of the following statements represents one of his pro-nuclear arguments? All reactors are similar to the Chernobyl reactor but today's nuclear technicians have better training. We have several centuries' supply of uranium available for use as nuclear fuel. Atomic bombs are often developed alongside nuclear power programs, but international monitoring is well established. As fossil fuel prices decrease, nuclear power prices will increase.
We have several centuries' supply of uranium available for use as nuclear fuel.
What is bitumen? a thick type of petroleum formed in clay and sand a bitter form of crude oil eaten by birds a rare form of uranium a vitamin-enriched form of coal
a thick type of petroleum formed in clay and sand
What disabled the emergency power generators at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan and led to the reactor meltdowns? a landslide a tsunami operator error an earthquake
a tsunami
What occurs when coal mining exposes rock surfaces to weathering? surface area reduction acid drainage acid flooding oil discovery
acid drainage
Why are we so eager to find clean coal technologies? because coal in its natural form costs too much for us to use because coal is the most abundant of the fossil fuels in the United States because coal is the most environmentally friendly of the fossil fuels because the government is charging industry for the amount of coal emissions being produced
because coal is the most abundant of the fossil fuels in the United States
Energy conservation in the United States ________. A) can be accomplished only through changes in environmental laws B) is unlikely to ever occur C) can be accomplished by changes in tax laws D) will be a reality only if there is another major war E) can be improved as individuals make conscious choices to reduce personal consumption
can be improved as individuals make conscious choices to reduce personal consumption
If this form of carbon capture works, which of the following would be most reduced in the atmosphere? water vapor carbon dioxide carbon monoxide methane
carbon dioxide
Plant-based organic matter that is compressed under high pressure to form solid carbon structures is known as __________. biomass coal peat charcoal
coal
The world's most abundant fossil fuel is ________. natural gas biodiesel oil methane coal
coal
Energy can be conserved by ________. A) cogeneration in power plants, fuel efficient transportation, reengineered appliances B) cogeneration in automobiles, especially in SUVs C) replacing compact florescent with tungsten bulbs D) replacing mass transit with more and larger roads for cars and trucks E) repealing the Law of Entropy
cogeneration in power plants, fuel efficient transportation, reengineered appliances
If successful, this type of carbon capture will be most beneficial to which of the following? transportation solar plants electrical power plants geothermal plants
electrical power plants
When assessing energy resources, it is helpful to use a measure called EROI, which is ________. A) energy returned minus energy invested B) energy returned plus energy invested C) amount of energy invested minus heat released into the environment D) money invested in extraction and processing minus money in sales E) energy returned divided by energy invested
energy returned divided by energy invested
U.S. oil production ________. - is now high enough for us to export nearly 50% - is sufficient to meet national needs thanks to major conservation efforts - has to fit the quotas imposed by OPEC - will peak out in 2100, requiring for the first time imports to meet growing demand - falls far short of U.S. oil consumption
falls far short of U.S. oil consumption
China's main source of energy contributes most to what global environmental problem? the loss of tropical rain forests erosion the loss of biodiversity global climate change
global climate change
What have Chinese companies started producing to reduce the use of gasoline (petrol)? solar-powered lawnmowers hybrid cars nuclear-powered trains natural-gas-powered automobiles
hybrid cars
In Johannesburg, South Africa, the South West Township (Soweto) was one of several areas established early in the last century for blacks to live away from the white ruling minority. On the hills surrounding Soweto, the company that provides South Africa's electricity, Eskom, built a large, coal-burning, electricity-generating plant. The electricity was for white areas of Johannesburg, miles away from the plant. The residents of Soweto had no electrical connections. The heavy levels of soot from the electrical plant upwind of Soweto, along with dust from gigantic mine dumps from gold and coal mines, created particulate pollution more than three times the recommended level. This resulted in ________. high levels of birth defects increased incidence of lung disease high levels of heart disease enriched agricultural fields and increased crop yields problems with running local automobiles and other machinery
increased incidence of lung disease
Scientists currently assessing the environmental impacts of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico report that ________. A) the damage was limited to wildlife kills immediately after the spill B) the entire Gulf food web will eventually collapse C) it may take years or decades before the full impacts are known D) Gulf productivity has already returned to normal and no further effects will be felt E) the coastal marshes of Louisiana suffered no measurable damage
it may take years or decades before the full impacts are known
Which fossil fuel is produced as a by-product that occurs when bacteria decompose organic material under anaerobic conditions? methane anthracite coal peat oil
methane
Chevron decides to frack near your home. Which of the following are they interested in obtaining? natural gas coal oil water
natural gas
Natural gas is ________. A) trapped over some cities for commercial use B) only produced by bacteria during decomposition C) more damaging to the environment than coal when extracted D) still much more expensive than other fossil fuels E) often associated with coal and petroleum deposits
often associated with coal and petroleum deposits
For the United States, the primary fuel that we use for our energy is ________. - natural gas - oil - wood - nuclear - coal
oil
Which of the following industries would most like to see an increase in carbon capture, as it uses the waste product captured at Boundary Dam? solar industry hydroelectric industry nuclear industry oil industry
oil industry
The process of __________ turns crude oil into the type of gases that can be used for cooking, in cars, and for other human purposes. refining secondary drilling redefining primary drilling
refining
All of the following are advantages of nuclear power except ________. safe disposal of nuclear wastes the power-generating process is emission-free uranium mines cause less environmental damage than coal mines because less uranium is needed to generate power uranium generates far greater amounts of energy than coal by weight or volume nuclear power plants generate no nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide
safe disposal of nuclear waste
China's government is encouraging companies to __________. make the switch from coal to natural gas for the generation of electricity move their factories to other countries relocate their workers to homes that are closer to factories to decrease commuting distances take the lead in all green technologies
take the lead in all green technologies
Coal continues to be the main fuel used to generate electricity in the United States. This is partially because ________. - coal deposits in the United States lie very close to the surface and are easily extracted - compared to natural gas and oil, coal contains very few impurities, such as sulfur - the country has such large reserves of coal - the quality of coal in the United States is very consistent from deposit to deposit - coal causes almost no air pollution when burned
the country has such large reserves of coal
What is energy intensity? the use of LED rather than incandescent light bulbs the capturing of excess heat during electrical generation the energy use per dollar of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) a measure of the reduction of wasteful or unnecessary energy use
the energy use per dollar of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
When did the use of coal for cooking, heating, and other purposes begin? with the industrial revolution thousands of years ago, by Native Americans (and other ancient cultures) in the 1700s, by people who needed cooking fuel sources
thousands of years ago, by Native Americans (and other ancient cultures)
The United States and other industrialized nations devote the greatest proportion of their oil use to __________. - industry - agriculture - transportation
transportation
All of the following are fossil fuels except ________. - uranium - oil - natural gas - coal - tar sands
uranium
Which of the following elements is the starting material for nuclear fission reactions? hydrogen carbon iron uranium
uranium
Secondary extraction of petroleum ________. A) occurs immediately after primary extraction B) is less expensive than primary extraction C) uses solvents, water, or steam D) allows the oil to be extracted to the last drop E) causes less environmental damage than tertiary extraction
uses solvents, water, or steam
One of China's cement factories has become more energy efficient by __________. using the extra gas and heat from the kilns to generate electricity using solar power for half of its energy needs using wind turbines to generate electricity for the plant relying on nuclear energy to produce cement
using the extra gas and heat from the kilns to generate electricity
Of the available policy options regarding eventual conversion to renewable energy sources, environmentalists would probably prefer that ________. A) we pass laws immediately banning the use of fossil fuels B) we pass laws immediately banning the exploration and development of further fossil fuel resources C) we encourage, with subsidies, tax rebates, and grants, the rapid development and widespread use of renewable alternative energy resources D) we prepare for a gradual changeover by slowly increasing funding and putting alternative energy resources into place over the next 100 years E) we plan for the switch to renewable energy sources, but not implement any plans until all fossil fuels have been depleted
we encourage, with subsidies, tax rebates, and grants, the rapid development and widespread use of renewable alternative energy resources
In Johannesburg, South Africa, the South West Township (Soweto) was one of several areas established early in the last century for blacks to live away from the white ruling minority. On the hills surrounding Soweto, the company that provides South Africa's electricity, Eskom, built a large, coal-burning, electricity-generating plant. The electricity was for white areas of Johannesburg, miles away from the plant. The residents of Soweto had no electrical connections. Along with many other governmental reforms that began in 1994, the electrical plant just outside Soweto was closed in 2000 and other plants were brought into use. Some parts of Soweto were then wired for electricity. It is estimated, however, that only about 30% of the more than 1 million black inhabitants have electricity in their homes; the remainder cannot afford the costs involved or live in areas that have no electrical access. So, they probably use ________ for fuel. gas-powered home generators charcoal and candles natural gas and solar cells wood and coal natural gas and backyard windmills
wood and coal
