Science 9th grade Test honors ch8

Name the three types of fossil fuels.

Coal, oil, natural gas

What are 4 uses for petroleum. 

Heat source, vehicle fuel, fertilizer, plastics, pharmaceuticals 

Complete the sentence:

Coal is formed from ______ whereas oil and natural gas are formed from _______. 

Plants, microscopic algae and plankton

What type of reaction is this:

CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O 

combustion

Explain the process of how coal is converted into electricity.

Coal is crushed to a powder, burned, the thermal energy is used to heat water to produce steam which turns a turbine and that mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy through a generator

This type of renewable energy uses very large (about 400 ft tall) turbines to generate electricity.

Wind energy (turbines)

This type of renewable energy relies on the gravitational pull between the moon and the sun.

Tidal energy

This type of renewable energy is ideal for locations like Hawaii and Iceland.

Geothermal energy

The Hoover Dam is an example of this type of renewable energy.

Hydroelectricity

This is a semiconductor that converts solar energy into electrical energy.

Photovoltaic cell

Name an example of something with a high albedo. 

Anything light in color

Name 3 different greenhouse gases.

Ozone, nitrous oxide, water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide

What are 3 human activities that increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Transportation, Electricity, heating, deforestation, livestock farming, manufacturing

Explain how the greenhouse effect and albedo effect relate. 

Both contribute to a warming effect on earth.  Albedo reflects radiation and GHE traps radiation 

Complete the sentence:

Land absorbs solar radiation and it radiates this energy as ________ radiation. 

Infrared (heat)

These are used to control the rate of a nuclear reaction.

Control rods

This is the isotope typically used as fuel in a nuclear reaction.

Uranium 235

Explain the difference between a fission and fusion reaction. 

Fission is breaking atoms apart, fusion is combining atoms nuclei together

What are two benefits and two drawbacks of nuclear energy. 

Benefits

-efficient 

-no carbon emissions

-consistent and predictable energy production

Drawbacks,

-non renewable

-nuclear waste

-society doesn’t always want nearby 

-mining for uranium can have environmental problems

-accident can be dangerous and costly

Describe how a nuclear power plant converts nuclear energy into electrical energy.

Uranium atoms are split (using neutrons) and when the atoms are split, a tremendous amount of thermal energy (heat) is produced.  This heat is used to heat water to produce steam, the steam turns a turbine to produce mechanical energy which produces electricity through a generator.

This is when trees are cut down from a large area of land. 

Deforestation

What are two causes of water pollution?

Oil spills, trash pollution, fertilizer, (other answers may be accepted)

What animals are most impacted by ocean acidification?

Marine calcifiers

This is the amount of individuals that an environment can support. 

Carrying capacity

How are deforestation and the greenhouse effect related?

Less trees = more CO2 which leads to more heat being trapped and a more enhanced greenhouse effect 

This type of renewable energy involves converting energy from the sun into electricity. 

Solar energy 

These types of energy resources are replenished faster than they can be used. 

renewable

Even though biomass is a type of renewable energy, why can this still contribute to climate change?

Releases large amounts of CO2

What two factors are causing the sea-level to rise. 

Thermal Expansion (molecules spreading apart as water warms) and More ice sheet melting 

What are three ways we are observing climate change in Narragansett Bay?

Ocean becoming more acidic, sea level rise, warming waters, species changing migration patterns and habitats

In detail, explain how solar energy is converted into electricity. What are 2 benefits and 2 drawbacks of solar energy?

Radiation from sun excites electron rich layer in the photovoltaic cells.  This causes the electrons to move from the electron rich layer to the electron poor layer which generates a current of electricity.  Benefits:  can be used for off grid living, free fuel after instillation.  Solar energy will never run out. No carbon emissions

Drawbacks: disposal can be difficult, Sun isn't always shining, not great for far north, large area of panels required for large scale solar energy