envi 101 final review
The energy efficiency of a car is about: A. 60% B. 40% C. 10% D. 90%
10%
U.S. oil production peaked in about A. 1970 B. 1987 C. 1950 D. 2009
1970
The half-life of Plutonium-239 is 24,000 years. If you start with 10 kg of it, how much will be left after 48,000 years (two "half-lives")? A. 40 kg B. 2.5 kg C. 5 kg D. 20 kg
2.5 kg
If we were going to prevent acid rain, the two most important places to start would be A. Coal mines and fertilizers B. Uranium mines C. Industrial emissions and fertilizers D. Coal-fired power plants and petroleum-powered vehicles
Coal-fired power plants and petroleum-powered vehicles
Which of the following statements is FALSE: A. Environmental Science is concerned with both natural sciences and social sciences. B. Environmental science is concerned with interrelationships. C. Interrelationships make environmental science complicated. D. Ecosystem boundaries often (usually) match political boundaries.
Ecosystem boundaries often (usually) match political boundaries.
Low-quality energy has significant environmental implications because A. It is easy to capture and convert to electricity. B. It is the main source of food for most organisms. C. It is the source of over 50% of the world's commercial energy production. D. It contributes to weather patterns and causes ocean currents that regulate climate.
It contributes to weather patterns and causes ocean currents that regulate climate.
If permitted, the Keystone XL Pipeline would transport: A. Petroleum extracted from tar sands in Canada to refineries in Texas. B. Petroleum fracked from oil sands in Canada to refineries in Texas. C. Petroleum extracted from drilling in Alaska to refineries in Texas. D. Methane fracked from oil shale in Wyoming to refineries in Texas.
Petroleum extracted from tar sands in Canada to refineries in Texas.
The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economics (CERES): A. Is an example of individual environmental ethics. B. Promotes waste reduction, energy conservation, and prevention or mitigation of environmental damage. C. Is a small, non-governmental organization that advocates environmental regulation. D. Places strict limits on development to preserve natural resources.
Promotes waste reduction, energy conservation, and prevention or mitigation of environmental damage.
What is the definition of risk? A. The likelihood that using a resource will result in pollution. B. The likelihood that you will suffer consequences if you are caught. C. A cost-benefit analysis. D. The statistical probability that a condition or action will lead to an injury, damage, or loss.
The statistical probability that a condition or action will lead to an injury, damage, or loss.
A risk assessment is: A. A statistical statement. B. A belief statement. C. A political statement. D. An ethical statement
a statistical statement
Driving is statistically much riskier than living near a nuclear power plant, but there are many people who think the risks associated with nuclear power are unacceptable. Why? A. All of these. B. Any associated injuries and deaths happen all at once, to the general public C. Nuclear waste remains hazardous for thousands of years D. There have been highly publicized accidents
all of these
Following protests in Warren County, North Carolina, controlled, scientific studies showed what? A. All of these. B. Toxic waste facilities were disproportionately located in minority neighborhoods. C. Law enforcement was slower in poor minority neighborhoods. D. Fines levied against violators were lower in poor minority neighborhoods.
all of these
How is respiration like burning? A. Both convert potential energy to heat and work. B. Both release energy, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. C. None of these. D. Both use oxygen to break chemical bonds in organic molecules. E. All of these.
all of these
Pollution, species extinction, resource depletion, and loss of scenic quality are all examples of A. deferred costs. B. environmental costs. C. all of these. D. external costs.
all of these
Some forms of electromagnetic radiation include: A. X-rays. B. All of these. C. light. D. radio waves.
all of these
The Amazon rainforest depends on A. All of these. B.40 million tons of wind-blown dust per year, bearing iron and phosphorus from ancient sea beds in the Sahara desert. C.An undersea Antarctic brine waterfall as big as five hundred Niagra Falls, which stabilizes ocean temperatures. D. Solar heating at the equator, which evaporates water and drives storm systems. E. Food web interactions among half of all life on earth.
all of these
The Earth's life-support system includes: A. all of these. B. atmosphere. C. biosphere. D. lithosphere.
all of these
The chemical-bond energy in food is converted into: A. growth B. movement C. heat D. all of these
all of these
The idea of environmental justice includes: A. All of these. B. Access to safe housing, green space, and transportation. C. Exposure to noise, contaminants, and natural disasters. D. Zoning for hazardous, polluting, and waste facilities.
all of these
What are examples of personal choices that, in aggregate across society, significantly impact environmental health? A. All of these. B. Voting for political candidates who exercise sustainable environmental stewardship. C. Reducing energy consumption. D. Reducing, reusing, and recycling material goods.
all of these
When a radioactive atom undergoes spontaneous decomposition it can release A. neutrons. B. electrons. C. All of these. D. protons.
all of these
Which of the following is a renewable method to generate electricity? A. hydroelectric B. wind C. All of these. D. geothermal
all of these
industrial ecology: A. a pollutant is a resource out of place. B. follows the principle that "in nature, nothing is wasted or discarded." C. All of these. D. models biological production.
all of these
lightning serves to A. Ignite wildfires that return nutrients to soil and open forest floors to light. B. Transfer positive and negative ions between the Earth's surface and the upper atmosphere. C. All of these. D. Break atmospheric nitrogen (N2) bonds and form bioavailable nitrate, distributed through rainfall.
all of these
science is A. the study of something through observation. B. all of these. C. knowledge organized in a testable fashion. D. based on testable, falsifiable hypotheses.
all of these
Biomass can be used to produce energy by direct combustion, making biofuels, [A1a________A1b________], and [A2_________]. (Answer 1 is two words).
anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis
Natural gas and oil are formed from A. Ancient peat bogs. B. ancient marine deposits. C. Landfills D. Ancient forests.
ancient marine deposits
Things seem riskier when they A. have an alternative. B. have consequences spread out over a long time. C. are new and/or complex. D. are not publicized.
are new and/or complex
Three kinds of biofuels are [A1_________] (made from recycled oils), [A2_______] (made by fermenting grains or other starchy/sugary feedstocks), and [A3________], (used as jet fuel, made from algae).
biodiesel, ethanol, kerosine
The primary source of energy in much of the developing (NON-Industrial) world is A. natural gas B. peat C. coal D. biomass
biomass
Comparing Chernobyl to Three Mile Island, which factor played the biggest role in preventing injuries and deaths at Three Mile Island? A. Geographic location of Three Mile Island. B. Immediate actions taken by employees C. Effective regulatory oversight D. Better reactor cooling systems
effective regulatory oversight
A kilowatt-hour is a unit of A. force B. temperature C. energy D. heat
energy
What is the most important concern related to the use of coal as an energy source? A. limited supple B. environmental impact C. net energy yield D. economics of/technology for extraction
environmental impact
Which of the following statements is TRUE: A. Ethics are the results of long-term discussion and debate. B. Ethics are absolute rules of what is right and what is wrong. C. All cultures share the same ethical commitments. D. Corporate ethics are always anthrocentric.
ethics are the results of long-term discussion and debate
As we mean the term in this course, "the environment" is: A. Nature. B. Everything that is affected by human civilization. C. Plants and animals in natural settings. D. Everything that affects an organism over its lifetime.
everything that affects an organism over its lifetime
To qualify as a proven reserve, a substance must be A. extracted with undeveloped technology. B. extracted economically with existing technology C. extracted over time. D. None of these are correct.
extracted economically with existing technology
Cumulative doses of radiation soon disappear over time. true false
false
gamma radiation cannot penetrate the human body. true false
false
The seriousness of a chemical risk to a single organism (such as from pollution) does NOT depend on: A. How many individuals are exposed. B. Dosage. C. Developmental stage (infant, adult, elderly). D. Length (duration) of exposure. E. Species.
how many individuals are exposed
Many countries still invest in developing hydroelectric power, however, A. hydroelectric power is not useful for electrical load management B. hydroelectric plants can disrupt fish migration and trap sediments. C. hydroelectric plants are prohibitively expensive to build. D. hydroelectric plants have a short lifespan.
hydroelectric plants can disrupt fish migration and trap sediments.
The principle the businesses can both expand profits and protect the environment, by reducing waste and converting waste streams to profit streams, is called A. Natural Capital B. 3P (Pollution Prevention Pays) C. CERES D. Externalizing Costs
natural capital
Which fossil fuel produces the most energy per unit of CO2 released (burns most efficiently with fewest greenhouse gas emissions)? A. coal B. peat C. oil D. natural gas
natural gas
You need to generate a specific amount of heat for your industrial process. Which fuel source would emit the least CO2, for that amount of heat? A. Natural gas B. Tar (Bitumen) C. Coal D. Oil
natural gas
If you were designing a house that would rely on active solar heating, you would A. plant evergreens B. install photovoltaic shingles C. live in the desert D. need a pump and pipes to move the heat around
need a pump and pipes to move the heat around
Energy sources that recover (remove) as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they contribute are called "carbon [A1_______]," or "net [A2_]" energy sources. NOTE: Answer 2 is a number, written as a NUMERAL, not as a word.
neutral, 0
The United States CURRENTLY plans to store spent nuclear fuel rods and high-level radioactive waste at: A. Yucca Mountain. B. Three Mile Island. C. Chernobyl. D. Pike's Peak. E. None of these.
none of these
Combining two lighter atomic nuclei to form a heavier atomic nucleus is called: A. radioactive decay. B. nuclear fission. C. nuclear fusion. D. isotopic mission.
nuclear fusion
Biomass energy includes all the of the following EXCEPT A. oil and natural gas. B. solid waste and manure C. wood chips D. perennial grasses.
oil and natural gas
The amount of energy delivered to the earth by the sun every day equals about how many times the energy consumed by humans? A. one thousand B. one million C. one hundred D. ten thousand
one million
Acid mine drainage occurs when A. acid is used in mining is accidentally released B. sulfur is released into the atmosphere during mining C. iron gets into nearby streams D. oxygen in the air and water seeping into the mine react with sulfides in coal and rocks
oxygen in the air and water seeping into the mine react with sulfides in coal and rocks
Allowing sunlight to enter a window and warm a wall inside is an example of: A. active solar heating B. Passive solar heating C. Solar-generated electricity D. Geothermal energy
passive solar heating
A bowling ball is sitting on a high shelf. The most important kind of energy associated with the bowling ball is: A. thermal energy B. potential energy. C. kinetic energy. D. electrical energy.
potential energy
A hydroelectric power plant runs a generator by converting A. potential energy to heat B. kinetic energy to potential energy C. kinetic energy to heat D. potential energy to kinetic energy
potential energy to kinetic energy
Statistically, which of the following is most likely to shorten someone's life (result in an earlier death): A. Second-hand smoke. B. Nuclear Accident. C. Drug Use/Abuse D. Poverty.
poverty
"Frontier science" is characterized by: A. incorrect data. B. widespread agreement. C. lack of precision. D. preliminary results.
preliminary results
A trap rock is required for a useful oil reservoir to form, because the trap rock A. prevents oil from rising to the surface B. soaks up oil C. is where the oil forms D. has a high permeability
prevents oil from rising to the surface
Which of the following is NOT a main consideration when characterizing risk: A. Probability of a bad outcome. B. Consequences of a bad outcome. C. Probability of a good outcome. D. Cost of dealing with a bad outcome.
probability of a good outcome
Uranium mining and milling waste contains low levels of A. radioactive materials B. hydrogen sulfide C. coal dust D. fuel rods
radioactive materials
Which is NOT a problem associated with coal mining? A. radon gas B. acid mine drainage C. black lung disease D. mine collapse
radon gas
the methane generated by USC's wood-chip gasification plant is a A. perpetual resource B. non-sustainable resource C. renewable resource D. non-renewable resource
renewable resource
Which of the following is NOT part of the biosphere: A. Rocks B. Algae C. Mammals D. Viruses
rocks
The difference between belief and science is that: A. science is based on knowledge; belief is not. B. science is only one kind of knowledge, based on observation and hypothesis-testing. C. belief is wrong and science is right. D. science disproves belief.
science is only one kind of knowledge, based on observation and hypothesis-testing.
Which of the following is an anthropogenic environmental risk factor: A. Hurricane B. Second-Hand Smoke C. Bacterial Infection D. Rock Slide
second hand smoke
Volcanos produce which nutrients? A. Potassium B. Sulfer C. None of these. D. Sulfer and Potassium
sulfer and potassium
primary cause of acid mine drainage from coal mining is A. Carbon mixing with oxygen B. Mercury mixing with carbon C. Oxygen mixing with methane D. Sulfur mixing with water
sulfur mixing with water
Organic matter has been buried and has reached a temperature of 40 degrees C. What energy resource(s) are likely to form? A. oil B. methane C. biochar D. coal
methane
Biological effects of ionizing radiation include A. damage to DNA B. mutations C. damage to molecules in cells D. All of these.
all of these
The Palmetto Landfill in Greer, SC supplies over 50% of the energy for the BMW plant there. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions by [A1_____] tons per year. It also prevents the escape of [A2_______], an extremely potent greenhouse gas, from the landfill. NOTE: Type your answer 1 as NUMERALS ONLY. No words, no commas, no extra characters
92000, methane
CERES standards A. voluntarily exceed enviromental regulatory standards. B. All of these. C. are followed by over a dozen Fortune 500 firms. D. reduce waste, promote safe tecnology, and conserve energy.
all of these
To which ethical stance does this picture and caption appeal? A. Biocentric B. Ethnocentric C. Anthropocentric D. Ecocentric
biocentric
Assume that technological improvements could prevent environmental problems associated with extracting and transporting oil. If so, then which environmental impacts of oil use would remain? A. large drilling "footprints" and oil seeps B. air pollution and leaky underground storage tanks C. well head blowouts and land subsidence D. oil spills and leaky oil pipelines
air pollution and leaky underground storage tanks
A good example of where political boundaries and ecological boundaries DO NOT coincide is: A. in the atmosphere (air, including air pollution). B. in the lithosphere (land ownership). C. in the hydrosphere (watersheds). D. all of these.
all of these
Which form of coal is relatively abundant and most widely used? A. pyrolite B. lignite C. bituminous D. anthracite
bituminous
Which of the following molecules are used by plants to make sugar during photosynthesis? A. carbon dioxide and oxygen (releasing water vapor) B. oxygen and water (releasing carbon dioxide) C. glucose and oxygen (carbon dioxide and water vapor) D. carbon dioxide and water (releasing oxygen)
carbon dioxide and water (releasing oxygen)
organic matter: A. is mostly found in non-living things like rocks. B. does not store very much chemical energy. C. consists of molecules that contain carbon atoms. D. is produced without the use of chemical pesticides.
consists of molecules that contain carbon atoms.
Which of the following is NOT a part of the nuclear fuel cycle? A. disposal or recycling of spent fuel rods B. mining uranium ore C. enriching the uranium ore D. fabricating fuel into fuel rods E. constructing cooling towers
constructing cooling towers
Which of the following is FALSE: Re-introduction of a top-level predator (like wolves) can: A. cause livestock losses. B. affect the hydrosphere (change water flow). C. increase biodiversity. D.decrease tourism.
decrease tourism
As fission occurs in a nuclear reactor the concentration of U-235 atoms A. increases B. remains constant C. decreases D. converts to hydrogen atoms
decreases
On a map, the pattern of contamination coming from the damaged Fukushima power plant A. resembled a bulls-eye B. increased as you moved further from the power plant C. depended on wind patterns D. was completely random
depended on wind patterns
Someone who considers the highest value of a stream to be the amount of water that can be extracted and sold for human use is displaying a(n) A. preservation approach. B. conservation approach. C. environmental approach. D. development approach.
developmental approach
Statistically speaking, in day-to-day life, which of the following poses the HIGHEST risk to the average American: A. Driving to the airport. B. Serving in the military. C. Being exposed to outdoor air pollution. D. Being bitten by an animal or insect.
driving to the airport
The view that the environment deserves direct moral consideration, not derived only from human or animal interests, is: A. ecocentric. B. Gaiacentric. C. anthropocentric. D. biocentric.
ecocentric
Which is the most efficient mode of tranportation, per passenger? A. intercity bus B. airplane C. car D. motorcycle
intercity bus
The statement "God exists" A. is not testable with scientific methods. B. can be proved true by science. C. is a falsifiable hypothesis. D. can be proved false by science.
is not testable with scientific methods
a scientific theory A. is preliminary. B. explains only a few observations. C. is often controversial. D. is supported by a wide range of evidence.
is supported by a wide range of evidence.
Developers have proposed to build a subdivision near the shore of a lake, but this would require altering a popular wetland area significantly. A person with an anthrocentric view might say that the wetland should be preserved because: A. it houses important species. B. the local ecosystem should be maintained. C. it is a scenic area that is popular with birdwatchers and hikers. D. None of these.
it is a scenic area that is popular with birdwatchers and hikers.
When a gasoline engine is used to run a car, chemical potential energy is converted to: A. gravitational potential energy and heat. B. kinetic energy only. C. kinetic energy and heat. D. gravitational potential energy only.
kinetic energy and heat
Overburden" is a term used for A. material left over from refining coal in industry. B. material on top of coal veins that is removed to extract the coal during strip mining C. the difference between the weight of the coal, and the weight of the extracted material. D. the additional workload required to use a biomass energy source, as compared to coal.
material on top of coal veins that is removed to extract the coal during strip mining
Environmental risks A. Are always underestimated. B. Are always overestimated. C. Are never reliable. D.May be over- or under- estimated, depending on risk tolerance.
may be over - or under - estimated, depending on risk tolerance
Which of the following answers is FALSE: When solar flares penetrate the Earth's outer magnetic sphere, they do not cause massive mutations & radiation sickness because: (Pick the answer that is NOT true!) A. Their speed is slowed by striking gasses, generating "northern lights." B. Energy is dissipated by the upper atmosphere. C. The flares are not harmful. D. The Earth's magnetic field directs solar particles toward the poles.
the flares are not harmful
Population, technology, economics, and politics are all components of: A. anthrocentrism. B. the earth's life support systems. C. the biosphere. D. the human cultural sphere.
the human cultural sphere
In the 1960s, Rachel Carson's book Silent Spring warned of the ecological effects of: A. Automobile exhaust fumes. B. Growing suburban development. C. Too much back-country tourism. D. The pesticide DDT
the pesticide DDT
Generally, humans assign value to natural resources based on A. Whether or not they are renewable. B. their perception of abundance or scarcity. C. The actual cost to replace them with something else. D. Whether or not they are sustainable.
their perception of abundance or scarcity.
Your aunt and uncle are looking at new cars, and they say they want to buy the car with the lowest lifecycle costs. This means that they want the car with the lowest A. insurance costs B. gas mileage C. total cost per year of ownership D. purchase price
total cost per year of ownership
Gamma radiation can travel through nearly a meter of concrete. true false
true
Renewable energy sources can create environmental impacts. true false
true
You discover a major new oil field. About how much of the oil do you expect to be able to extract, assuming that secondary extraction methods are available and economically feasible? A. up to 90% B. up to 60% C. up to 10% D. up to 40%
up to 40%
A heavy isotope of what is commonly used nuclear fuel? A. carbon. B. uranium. C. potassium. D. beryllium.
uranium
The second law of thermodynamics (law of entropy) states that: A. when converting from one form of energy to another, oxygen is released. B. when converting from one form of energy to another, useful energy is lost (e.g., as heat). C. kinetic energy cannot be converted to potential energy, and vice versa. D. energy tends to form organized systems.
when converting from one form of energy to another, useful energy is lost (e.g., as heat).
Of these choices, which would be the best place to build a wind farm? A. Wyoming B. Florida C. Louisiana D. South Carolina
wyoming