Question 1

Which one of the following energy sources is most likely to lead to thermal pollution?
A)a coal-fired power plant
B)a large field of windmills
C)a hydroelectric plant
D)a large field of solar cells

Accepted Answer

Coal-fired power plants release large amounts of heated water into nearby water bodies, causing thermal pollution. This causes a decrease in oxygen levels and can harm aquatic life. Windmills, hydroelectric plants, and solar cells do not result in thermal pollution.

Question 2

The large peak in electrical generation from 2000-2005 represents the availability of large new amounts of
A)natural gas and renewable energy resources.
B)coal.
C)nuclear power.
D)hydroelectric power.

Accepted Answer

The large peak in electrical generation from 2000-2005 is attributed to the increased availability of natural gas and renewable energy resources. This period saw significant advancements and investments in these energy sectors, leading to their expanded use in electricity generation.

Question 3

The most sustainable way to drive a car would be to use
A)an all-electric car using electricity from a windmill or solar photocells.
B)an all-electric car using electricity from any power supply.
C)a hydrogen fuel cell using hydrogen produced by a nuclear power plant.
D)a hybrid electric car that generates electricity when slowing down.

Accepted Answer

An all-electric car using electricity from a windmill or solar photocells is the most sustainable way to drive a car, as it relies on renewable energy sources with minimal impact on the environment. This method generates zero emissions and has a closed-loop system, meaning no pollution or emissions are released during the car’s use.

Question 4

-The large structures in this photograph are
A)smokestacks from a coal-fired power plant.
B)special wind turbines that capture swirling wind to produce electricity.
C)towers used to cool water heated by a coal-fired power plant.
D)combustion chambers used to burn natural gas to generate electricity.

Accepted Answer

The large structures in the photograph are cooling towers, which are typically used to cool water heated by a coal-fired power plant. These towers are designed to release excess heat into the atmosphere, often characterized by their hyperboloid shape.

Question 5

-Examine the changes in electrical demand in the United States.The daily drop in electrical consumption is most closely associated with
A)people heading off to work.
B)people sleeping.
C)home heating and cooling systems.
D)daytime activities that consume little energy.

Accepted Answer

The daily drop in electrical consumption is most closely associated with people sleeping, as this is the time when many electrical devices are turned off or used minimally, and most businesses are closed, leading to a lower demand for electricity.

Question 6

Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable sources of energy because
A)their formation is so slow.
B)they release carbon dioxide when they are burned.
C)people are cutting down too many forests to allow trees to turn into coal.
D)carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are too low to allow fossil fuels to form.

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable because they take millions of years to form, making their rate of formation extremely slow compared to the rate at which humans consume them.

Question 7

Oil production is a misnomer for the process used by oil companies because
A)the oil reserves may not be as large as expected.
B)the oil was produced hundreds of millions of years ago.
C)much of the oil is found in other forms,such as tar and natural gas.
D)most oil is produced by drilling deeply into the Earth.

Accepted Answer

Oil is not actively produced by oil companies, but is rather extracted from pre-existing deposits that were formed hundreds of millions of years ago. Therefore, the term "oil production" is a misnomer.

Question 8

The greatest demand for electricity would occur in homes in Georgia
A)about noon during a hot summer Wednesday.
B)at night during a hot summer Saturday.
C)about noon during a cold winter Wednesday.
D)at night during a cold winter Saturday.

Accepted Answer

The greatest demand for electricity in homes typically occurs during hot summer days when air conditioning systems are running. Wednesdays are typically peak demand days as it is in the middle of the work week and people are using more electricity during the day. Noon is when the sun is at its highest and temperatures are typically the hottest. Therefore, the combination of a hot summer Wednesday and noon would lead to the greatest demand for electricity in homes in Georgia.

Question 9

Which of the following would be expected to have the greatest impact in reducing the demand for electric-power-generating plants in the United States?
A)installing very efficient geothermal systems to cool homes in the summer
B)increasing the number of hybrid electrical cars in the United States
C)adopting policies that promote salmon migrations by removing dams
D)requiring companies to turn off all lights on weekends when nobody is working

Accepted Answer

Installing efficient geothermal systems to cool homes in the summer would directly reduce the demand for electric power, as air conditioning is a significant contributor to peak electricity demand in the summer months. Increasing the number of hybrid cars (B) may reduce demand for gasoline, but it wouldn't directly impact electricity demand. Adopting policies to promote salmon migrations (C) would have little to no impact on electricity demand. Requiring companies to turn off lights on weekends (D) may reduce electricity consumption somewhat, but it wouldn't have as significant an impact as installing efficient geothermal systems.

Question 10

A blackout like the eight-state blackout of 2003 could be prevented by
A)using energy efficient lights in most businesses.
B)a self-healing smart electrical grid.
C)switching from coal to natural gas for electrical generation.
D)greater use of electricity during the work week instead of weekends.

Accepted Answer

A self-healing smart electrical grid would help prevent blackouts like the eight-state blackout of 2003. This type of grid uses advanced technology to detect and isolate problems, while also rerouting power and restoring service quickly. Using energy efficient lights and switching to natural gas for electrical generation could contribute to a more reliable grid, but a self-healing system would provide the most effective solution. Greater use of electricity during the work week instead of weekends is not directly related to preventing blackouts.

Question 11

More oil can be expected from a P50 of a 100 million barrel field than from an oil field with a
A)P70 for a 100 million barrel field.
B)P95 for a 90 million barrel field.
C)P40 for a 200 million barrel field.
D)P10 for a 150 million barrel field.

Accepted Answer

The answer of More oil can be expected from a...

Question 12

Wood pellets are produced from the waste sawdust of lumber and paper mills.Home-heating stoves burning these pellets can heat homes directly,instead of relying on other energy sources.Heating your home with wood pellets is
A)sustainable,less polluting,and more efficient than heating a home using electricity from a coal-fired power plant.
B)sustainable,much more polluting,and is about 30% more efficient than using electricity from a coal-fired power plant.
C)not sustainable but is less polluting and is about as efficient as using electricity from a coal-fired power plant.
D)not sustainable and actually pollutes more than using electricity from a coal-fired power plant.

Accepted Answer

Heating your home with wood pellets is sustainable as it is produced from waste sawdust. It is also less polluting and more efficient than heating a home using electricity from a coal-fired power plant.

Question 13

Instead of only generating more electricity,rising energy demands may also be met by
A)switching from natural gas to coal.
B)switching from coal and natural gas to windmills and solar technologies.
C)increasing the efficiency of energy consumption.
D)using more nuclear power instead of fossil fuels.

Accepted Answer

Increasing the efficiency of energy consumption is the best choice because it reduces the amount of energy used while still meeting energy demands. This approach is also more environmentally friendly as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Switching to coal, natural gas, or nuclear power generates more electricity, but they come with environmental and health hazards. Similarly, switching to windmills and solar technologies may not be a viable option due to their high costs and limited capacity.

Question 14

The future use of electricity to power personal transportation largely depends on
A)more efficient turbogenerators.
B)finding more fossil fuel supplies.
C)low-cost,lightweight batteries that can store large amounts of power.
D)the development of small turbogenerators for automobiles.

Accepted Answer

The development of low-cost, lightweight batteries that can store large amounts of power is crucial for the future use of electricity to power personal transportation. Currently, the biggest challenge with electric vehicles (EVs) is the limited range that their batteries offer. If a breakthrough in battery technology is achieved, it would greatly increase the feasibility and popularity of EVs as a means of personal transportation.

Question 15

Fossil fuels represent
A)a large amount of paleozoic and mesozoic biomass buried anaerobically millions of years ago.
B)natural deposits of organic materials that formed long before life on Earth evolved.
C)the remains of fossil animals that lived a few thousand years ago.
D)sustainable sources of energy that are underused today.

Accepted Answer

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that were buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. These organisms lived during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, which ended approximately 250 million years ago. Therefore, option A is the best choice. Option B is incorrect because fossil fuels are derived from living organisms, not prehistoric organic matter. Option C is incorrect as fossil fuels are not derived from animals that lived in the recent past. Option D is incorrect as fossil fuels are non-renewable and cannot be considered sustainable.

Question 16

-Judging from the data in the figure,if we wanted to decrease petroleum consumption and concentrate on more efficient technology,the sector we would select is
A)residential.
B)commercial.
C)industrial.
D)transportation.

Accepted Answer

The transportation sector is typically the largest consumer of petroleum due to the heavy reliance on petroleum-based fuels for vehicles. Focusing on more efficient technology in this sector, such as electric vehicles or more fuel-efficient engines, can significantly decrease petroleum consumption.

Question 17

In the United States in 2012,we produce about 1 barrel of oil for every
A)barrel of oil we export.
B)barrel of oil we import.
C)two barrels of oil we import.
D)ten barrels of oil we import.

Accepted Answer

In 2012, the United States produced about 1 barrel of oil for every 2 barrels it imported, reflecting a significant reliance on foreign oil at that time.

Question 18

If we wanted to improve the efficiency of technology to reduce electrical power consumption,the sectors we would choose are
A)industrial and transportation.
B)residential and commercial.
C)commercial and industrial.
D)residential and transportation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If we wanted to improve the efficiency...

Question 19

As demands for electricity push the limits of existing electric-power-generating plants in the United States,when is it most likely that a brown-out or blackout will disrupt electricity to your home computer?
A)during a weekend in the winter
B)during a weekday in the winter
C)during a weekend in the summer
D)during a weekday in the summer

Accepted Answer

During weekdays in the summer, electricity demands tend to be the highest due to increased use of air conditioning and other cooling systems. This makes it more likely for a brown-out or blackout to occur.

Question 20

Most oil is recovered from an oil field
A)by relying on the natural pressure of the system.
B)by simply pumping it out of the ground.
C)only after using secondary or enhanced procedures that first generate pressure.
D)by pumping freshwater into the ground and making the oil float to the top.

Accepted Answer

Most oil is recovered using secondary or enhanced procedures such as water flooding, gas injection, or thermal recovery. These procedures help to generate pressure in the reservoir and push the oil towards the production well. Only relying on natural pressure or simply pumping the oil out of the ground is not sufficient for the economic recovery of oil. Injecting freshwater into the ground is not a common method for oil recovery.

Quiz 14: Energy From Fossil Fuels

Which one of the following energy sources is most likely to lead to thermal pollution?

The large peak in electrical generation from 2000-2005 represents the availability of large new amounts of

The most sustainable way to drive a car would be to use

-The large structures in this photograph are

-Examine the changes in electrical demand in the United States.The daily drop in electrical consumption is most closely associated with

Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable sources of energy because

Oil production is a misnomer for the process used by oil companies because

The greatest demand for electricity would occur in homes in Georgia

Which of the following would be expected to have the greatest impact in reducing the demand for electric-power-generating plants in the United States?

A blackout like the eight-state blackout of 2003 could be prevented by

More oil can be expected from a P50 of a 100 million barrel field than from an oil field with a

Wood pellets are produced from the waste sawdust of lumber and paper mills.Home-heating stoves burning these pellets can heat homes directly,instead of relying on other energy sources.Heating your home with wood pellets is

Instead of only generating more electricity,rising energy demands may also be met by

The future use of electricity to power personal transportation largely depends on

Fossil fuels represent

-Judging from the data in the figure,if we wanted to decrease petroleum consumption and concentrate on more efficient technology,the sector we would select is

In the United States in 2012,we produce about 1 barrel of oil for every

If we wanted to improve the efficiency of technology to reduce electrical power consumption,the sectors we would choose are

As demands for electricity push the limits of existing electric-power-generating plants in the United States,when is it most likely that a brown-out or blackout will disrupt electricity to your home computer?

Most oil is recovered from an oil field