test

Which of the structures in the diagram is the site where the nuclear power plant accidents at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl occurred? A B C D

A

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.

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 systems

A. Installing effective ventilation systems in dwellings

Which of the following statements correctly explains the role of fossil fuels in the production of energy? A The combustion of fossil fuels heats water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine. B The steam released from the combustion of fossil fuels turns a generator, which then powers a turbine. C The heat released from burning fossil fuels rises and turns a turbine, which then releases carbon dioxide. D Steam produced from a turbine ignites the fossil fuels, which then powers the generator.

A. The combustion of fossil fuels heats water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine.

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

Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they A 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 B can be built for use in any location where surface drilling is possible and construction of geothermal plants increases land stability C use the heat from Earth's interior to directly heat buildings and houses and give off no greenhouse gasses D do not give off hazardous air pollutants into the atmosphere and require very little water

A. 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

Rock layer that can be porous but must have very low to no permeability A B C D

B

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? A 9.7% B 19.4% C 38.8% D 77.8%

B. 19.4%

How many BTUs were consumed in the United States in 2017 by consumers that used petroleum as a fuel source? A 28 quadrillion BTUs B 36 quadrillion BTUs C 62 quadrillion BTUs D 97 quadrillion BTUs

B. 36 quadrillion BTUs

Which of the following describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity? A A chemical reaction occurs between the fossil fuel and oxygen to produce energy for the generation of electricity. B Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere. C The combustion of fossil fuels can heat water to convert the water into steam to turn turbines that are connected to electrical generators. D Combustion reactions using fossil fuels require more energy than they produce and are therefore very inefficient.

B. Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere.

In an apartment building, exhaust from a gas-powered electrical generator is captured to produce hot water to heat a swimming pool. Which of the following is illustrated by this process? A Synergy B Cogeneration C Synfuels D Energy recovery

B. Cogeneration

Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of geothermal energy production? A Geothermal energy production is a significant source of noise pollution. B Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps. C Geothermal energy generation costs remain stable when gas and oil prices increase. D Geothermal energy is weather dependent and can be generated only at certain times of the year.

B. Geothermal energy implementation in homes and businesses has a high upfront cost, and electricity is needed to operate pumps.

If peak electricity use occurs around 2p.m.2p.m. in the Los Angeles area and avoiding brownouts is more important to the installers of the PVPV panels than annual energy output, which of the following PVPV panel systems would be best to use in the area? A No tracking, tilted south B No tracking, tilted west C No tracking, tilted east D No tracking, flat

B. No tracking, tilted west

Which of the following explains why some energy sources are renewable? A Renewable energy sources exist in a fixed amount and cannot be easily replaced. B Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption. C Renewable energy sources include natural gas and other fossil fuels because they are made from the remains of ancient organisms. D Renewable energy sources use advanced technologies and have been discovered in recent years, making them newer energy sources.

B. Renewable energy sources can be replenished naturally, at or near the rate of consumption.

Which of the following statements about geothermal energy is accurate? A While geothermal energy can heat buildings directly, it is not used to generate electricity. B The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface. C Steam from underground sources must be condensed before it can be used aboveground. D In some parts of the world, geothermal sources are used to power steam locomotives.

B. The location of geothermal energy sources ranges from short distances below ground to miles below the surface.

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? A Nuclear energy has low carbon emissions and does not contribute to global warming. B The uranium deposits on Earth are finite. C Nuclear energy is generated by the process of nuclear fission. D Nuclear power plants convert water to steam, similar to fossil fuel-burning power plants.

B. The uranium deposits on Earth are finite.

Rock layer that must be porous and have enough permeability for fluid to move through the layer A B C D

C

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 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.

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

Rock layer that must be rich in organic matter that was subjected to heat and pressure over time during the formation of oil and natural gas. A B C D

D

Which of the following statements is best supported by the data shown in the graph? A PV panels that cannot track the Sun and are in a fixed position tilted to the east produce the most electricity daily and annually. B Of the PV panels that cannot track the Sun, those in a fixed position tilted to the west produce more electricity daily and annually than do those in a fixed position tilted to the south. C PV panels that cannot track the Sun and are in a fixed position tilted to the south produce the least electricity daily and annually. D PV panels that can track the Sun and are constantly moving to always directly face the Sun produce the most electricity daily and annually.

D 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 an environmental problem associated with hydrologic fracturing, or fracking? A Fracking has led to an increase in the production of oil and natural gas, lowering energy prices. B Fractures in the shale will close up once the fracking fluid is removed unless fine particles, like sand, are introduced to hold them open. C The products of fracking release more carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds into the atmosphere than other fossil fuels. D Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater.

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

Which of the following correctly pairs a region with its percent increase in electricity demand between 2016 and 2040? A Africa; 61% B United States; 0.17% C China; 158% D India; 227%

D. India; 227%

Which of the following PV panel systems is least effective at producing energy? A Tracking, dual-axis B No tracking, tilted south C No tracking, tilted west D No tracking, tilted east

D. No tracking, tilted east

Which of the following is a characteristic of nonrenewable energy sources that distinguishes them from renewable energy sources? A The construction of power plants that use nonrenewable energy sources is typically more expensive than the construction of those that use renewable energy sources. B Nonrenewable energy sources are typically less harmful to wildlife and ecosystems than renewable energy sources are. C Nonrenewable energy sources typically require additional new technology in order to be used than renewable energy sources do. D Nonrenewable energy sources typically take a longer time to replenish than renewable energy sources do.

D. Nonrenewable energy sources typically take a longer time to replenish than renewable energy sources do.