Environmental Science Renewable energy, etc
The half-life of a radioactive substance with the decay rate shown in the graph above is closest to A: 5 seconds B: 7 seconds C: 14 seconds D: 18 seconds E: 21 seconds
B: 7 seconds
Based on the diagram, which processes would provide the energy used to generate electricity at the power plant? A: Absorption of incoming solar radiation B: Fusion of atomic nuclei to form heavier nuclei C: Combustion of fossil fuels D: Fission in radioactive fuel
D: Fission in radioactive fuel
Biomass Wind Tidal energy Nuclear fission Sunlight The source that is not renewable? A: Biomass B: Wind C: Tidal energy D: Nuclear fission E: Sunlight
D: Nuclear fission
The largest hydroelectric dam in the world is located on one of the world's longest rivers in this area.
E: asia
Biomass Wind Tidal energy Nuclear fission Sunlight The source that produces long-lived hazardous wastes?
Nuclear fission
Which of the structures in the diagram is the site where the nuclear power plant accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl occurred?
A
Which of the following metals is considered an energy resource? A: Uranium B: Cobalt C: Mercury D: Copper E: Palladium
A: Uranium
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? A: Uranium-235 B: Cesium-137 C: Iodine-123 D: Yttrium-90 and Yttrium-91
A: Uranium-235
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 soil sample near Chernobyl was found to contain 187kBq/m2 of cesium-137. If the half-life of cesium-137 is approximately 30 years, how much cesium-137will remain in the sample after 90 years? A: 93.50kBq/m2 B: 23.38kBq/m2 C: 6.23kBq/m2 D: 1.58kBq/m2
B: 23.38kBq/m2
Which of the following is a true statement concerning the production of electricity in conventional nuclear power plants using fission reactors? A: New nuclear power plants will be built without containment structures, due to the increased insulation in the reactor core. B: Thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy and then to electrical energy, as in coal-burning power plants. C: Regularly scheduled releases of radioactive gases during production are well below the maximum contamination levels set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). D: Nuclear production of electricity is much less expensive per kilowatt-hour than production of electricity at a coal-burning or natural- gas-fueled power plant. E: Storage of nuclear waste is no longer an issue, because power plants are now storing all wastes on-site in specialized containment units.
B: Thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy and then to electrical energy, as in coal-burning power plants.
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? A: 10 years B: 20 years C: 30 years D: 40 years E: 80 years
C: 30 years
After 200 million years, only 1/16 of the original amount of a particular radioactive waste will remain. The half-life of this radioactive waste is how many million years? A: 12.5 B: 25 C: 50 D: 75 E: 100
C: 50
In the majority of less developed countries, the major source of energy for domestic use is which of the following? A: Oil B: Coal C: Biomass D: Nuclear E: Geothermal
C: Biomass
Which of the following is the primary environmental problem associated with the use of nuclear power to generate electricity? A: Radon leaking into buildings B: Production of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide C: Disposal of radioactive waste D: Depletion of the ozone layer E: Production of acid rain
C: Disposal of radioactive waste
Which of the following gases is released from the structure labeled C in the diagram? A: Carbon dioxide B; Methane C: Water vapor D: Radon-222
C: Water vapor
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? A: Cooling tower B; Turbine C: Generator D: Reactor core
D: Reactor core
Many environmentalists consider Egypt's Aswan High Dam on the Nile River to be an ecological disaster. Which of the following is the best evidence to support this viewpoint? A: Creation of the dam flooded important archaeological sites. B: Sardine populations near the Nile delta increased exponentially as a result of decreased annual rates of water flow. C: The Aswan High Dam supplies one-third of the electrical power used in Egypt. D: Some countries upstream from the dam have diverted Nile River water for their own projects. E: Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam.
E: Most of the nutrient-rich silt that the Nile annually deposited downstream is now deposited behind the dam.
Which of the following is considered an advantage of using nuclear power to generate electricity? A: No waste is generated. B: There is a limitless supply of the raw material needed for the process of generating energy. C: Nuclear power plants are inexpensive to build and maintain. D: There is no potential for thermal pollution. E: There is no CO2 emitted from the nuclear reaction.
E: There is no CO2 emitted from the nuclear reaction.
In contrast to low-level radioactive waste, most high-level radioactive waste is currently A: put into steel drums and dumped into the ocean B: incinerated C: buried in government landfills D: recycled E: stored at reactor sites
E: stored at reactor sites
Compared to a coal-fired power plant that produces the same amount of energy, a nuclear power plant generates more A: CO2 B: SO2 C: fly ash D: particulates E: thermal pollution
E: thermal pollution
Purity is a major factor in determining the type of coal used for energy. Which of the following types of coal are correctly paired with a description of its purity and common use? A: Anthracite is considered the highest grade coal because it is almost pure carbon, and it is often used for domestic heating. B: Coking coal is most widely available and contains 60-86% carbon, which makes it ideal for use in coal power plants. C; Steam coal has a high carbon content with low amounts of impurities, which makes it ideal for use in the steel industry. D: Lignite is the most mature and purest form of coal, and it is often used for large-scale power generation.
A: Anthracite is considered the highest grade coal because it is almost pure carbon, and it is often used for domestic heating.
Biomass Wind Tidal energy Nuclear fission Sunlight The source whose use is a direct cause of deforestation? A: Biomass B: Wind C: Tidal energy D: Nuclear fission E: Sunlight
A: Biomass
Which of the following is the current recommendation of Congress for the permanent storage of high-level radioactive waste in the United States? A: Burial deep underground at sites remote from population centers B: Storage in huge pools of water at the nuclear plants where they are produced C: Storage in concrete and steel casks, above ground in air-cooled buildings, at nuclear plants where they are produced D: Storage deep in the Antarctic ice sheet and burial beneath the ocean floor E: Injection deep underground in remote areas between impervious layers of shale and clay
A: Burial deep underground at sites remote from population centers
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? A: Installing effective ventilation systems in dwellings B: Updating dwellings with well-sealed windows C: Planting native plants around the dwelling D: Equipping dwellings with rainwater collection system
A: Installing effective ventilation systems in dwellings
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? A: 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. B: Nuclear power is generated when photons are converted to a direct current using a semiconducting material such as silicon. An inverter is used to convert the direct-current electricity into an alternating current. C: Nuclear power is generated from the thermal energy of Earth, which is a result of radioactive decay. The water underground is turned to steam, which turns a turbine to produce electricity. D: Nuclear power is generated from the combustion of mined uranium, which provides enough heat to power a generator. The generator turns a turbine to create electricity.
A: 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 an advantage of burning biomass rather than burning fossil fuels in developing countries? A: Biomass production requires less open space than fossil fuel extraction does, so land is available for other purposes. B: Burning biomass is associated with fewer human respiratory concerns than fossil fuels are because it does not give off sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. C: Biomass production is cheaper than fossil fuel extraction, making it more readily available for use. D: Burning biomass is more efficient than burning fossil fuels, providing more available energy from less of the resource.
C: 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? A; Placing fish repellents on dam turbines B: Eliminating keystone species above the dam C: Building fish ladders around the dam D: Harvesting the fish before they reach the dam E: Dredging the sediments upstream of the dam
C: Building fish ladders around the dam
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 A: I only B: II only C: I and III only D: II and III only E: I, II, and III
C: I and III only
Nuclear power is a component of the line labeled "Other" in the graph. Why is it impossible for nuclear energy to completely replace oil and gas in the future? A: Nuclear power is unacceptable to the public, so they will not allow it. B: At the current rate of consumption, there is only enough uranium to last for fifteen more years. C: Nuclear power can supply electricity, but it cannot replace other uses of oil and gas. D: Nuclear energy is too costly for general use. E: Nuclear waste contributes more to global climate change than do oil and gas.
C: Nuclear power can supply electricity, but it cannot replace other uses of oil and gas.
Which of the following best describes the conditions under which peat is formed? A: Partially decayed vegetation is placed under low-pressure, aerobic, acidic conditions. B: Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, alkaline conditions. C: Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions. D: Partially decayed vegetation is placed under low-pressure, aerobic, alkaline conditions.
C: Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions.
Which of the following is a drawback to using biofuels, such as ethanol, as a fuel source? A: Ethanol-blended gasoline has higher carbon emissions than petroleum alone. B: The global demand for biofuels is continually decreasing. C: There is high energy investment in producing and processing the crops needed for ethanol production. D: Ethanol-blended gasoline increases the likelihood of freezing gas lines in winter months.
C: There is high energy investment in producing and processing the crops needed for ethanol production.
