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-Review -AP Classroom MCQ -Knowt Flashcards
Fossil fuels
________ are formed over time from deposits of once- living organisms and take thousands of years to form.
Natural gas
________ was formed from the remains of marine organisms and is relatively abundant and clean when compared to coal and oil.
Impurities
________ are removed from the syngas before it is combusted, which results in lower emissions of sulfur dioxide, particulates, and mercury.
Dams
________ destroy wildlife habitats and keep fish from migrating.
Energy
Defined as the fundamental entity of nature that is transferred between parts of a system in the production of physical change within the system and is usually regarded as the capacity for doing work
Sun
The source of energy for most of life on Earth
Chemical energy
It is stored in bonds between atoms in a molecule
Electrical energy
It results from the motion of electrons
Electromagnetic energy
This energy travels by waves
Mechanical energy
Consists of potential and kinetic energies
Potential Energy
Stored energy in any object
Kinetic energy
Energy in motion
Nuclear energy
It is stored in the nuclei of atoms, and it is released by either splitting or joining atoms
Thermal Energy
the energy an object has because of the movement of its molecules
British thermal unit (Btu)
It is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1°F
Btu/hr
A ton in many air conditioning applications
Horsepower (HP)
Used in automobile industries
Kilowatt hour (kWh)
A unit of power; a measure of energy used at a give moment
First Law of Thermodynamics
The law of conservation of energy; energy can't be created nor destroyed
Second Law of Thermodynamics
The total system work is always less than the heat supplied into the system
Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
If a body A is in thermal equilibrium with another body B, and body A is also in thermal equilibrium with a body C, then this implies that the bodies B and C are also in equilibrium with each other
Renewable energy
Defined as energy that is collected from resources that are naturally replenished on a human time scale
Nonrenewable Energy Sources
Their use is not sustainable because their formation takes billions of years like fossil fuels
Fossil Fuels
Fuels formed from past geological remains of living organisms
Peat
It is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter, mostly wetland vegetation like mosses, sedges, and shrubs, that forms in acidic and anaerobic conditions
Coal
Formed when dead plant matter that covered much of Earths tropical land surface at one time decays into peat and is then converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years
Lignite
Often called brown coal, is the type most harmful to human health and is used almost exclusively as the primary fuel for electric power generation around the world
Bituminous
Used primarily as fuel in steam-electric power generation
Anthracite
Used primarily for residential and commercial space heating
Clean Coal
Technology that attempts to mitigate emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that arise from the burning of coal for electrical power
Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Pumps and stores CO2 emissions underground
Natural gas
A fossil fuel formed when layers of buried plants and gases are exposed to intense heat and pressure over thousands of years
Oil
A fossil fuel produced by the decomposition of deeply buried organic material (plants) under high temperatures and pressure for millions of years
Cogeneration
Also known as combined heat and power (CHP), is an efficient technology to generate electricity and heat simultaneously at local facilities; otherwise, the heat produced from electricity generation is wasted
Baghouse filters
Fabric filters that can be used to reduce particulates
Burning pulverized coal at lower temperatures
Coal is crushed into a very fine powder and injected into a firebox
Coal gasification
A process that turns coal and other carbon-based fuels into gas known as "syngas."
Cyclone separator
A method of removing particulates through rotational (spinning) effects and gravity
Electrostatic precipitator
A filtration device that removes fine particles, like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas using an electrostatic charge
Fluidized-bed combustion
A method of burning coal in which the amount of air required for combustion far exceeds that found in conventional burners
Scrubbers
Systems that inject chemical(s) into a dirty exhaust stream to "wash out" acidic gases
Sorbents
Activated charcoal, calcium compounds, or silicates can convert gaseous pollutants in smokestacks into compounds that baghouse filters, electrostatic precipitation, or scrubbers can collect
Law of Supply
All other factors being equal, as the price of a good or service increases, the quantity of goods or services that suppliers offer will increase, and vice versa
Law of Demand
All other factors being equal, the quantity of the item purchased is inversely related to the price of the item
Methane Hydrates (Clathrates)
These are recently discovered source of methane that form at low temperature and high pressure
Oil shale
An organic-rich, fine-grained sedimentary rock containing a solid mixture of organic chemical compounds (kerogen) from which liquid hydrocarbons (shale oil) can be produced
Synfuels
Any fuel produced from coal, natural gas, or biomass through chemical conversion
Tar sands
Contain bitumen-a semi-solid form of oil that does not flow
Hydraulic fracturing
Also known as "fracking," is an oil and gas well development process that typically involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals under high pressure into a bedrock formation via a well
Nuclear Meltdown
A severe nuclear reactor accident that results in core damage from overheating
U-235
Less than 1% of all-natural uranium on Earth
Critical Mass
The minimum amount of U-235 required for a chain reaction
U-238
The most common isotope of uranium and has a half-life of 4.5 billion years
Pu-239
It has a half-life of 24,000 years and is produced in breeder reactors from U-238
Core
Contains up to 50,000 fuel rods
Fuel
Enriched (concentrated) U-235 is usually the fuel
Control rods
Move in and out of the core to absorb neutrons and slow down the reaction
Moderator
It reduces the speed of fast neutrons, thereby allowing a sustainable chain reaction
Coolant
Removes heat and produces steam to generate electricity
Biomass
It ****is biological material derived from living, or recently living, organisms that can be burned in large incinerators to create steam that is used for generating electricity
Anaerobic digestion
A collection of processes by which microorganisms break down biodegradable material, in the absence of oxygen, to produce methane gas, which is then burned to produce energy
Biofuel
A liquid fuel produced from living organisms
Solar energy
It consists of collecting and harnessing radiant energy from the sun to provide heat and/or electricity
Passive solar heating
It does not include any type of mechanical heating device and functions by incorporating building features that absorb heat and then release it slowly to maintain the temperature throughout the building
Residential photovoltaic system
It consists of solar panels to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity, a solar inverter to change the electric current from DC to AC, and a battery storage and backup system
Dams
These are built to trap water, which is then released and channeled through turbines that generate electricity
Wind turbines work very simply
instead of using electricity to make wind-like a fan-wind turbines use wind to make electricity
Wind Farms
Wind turbines clustered together
Phantom Load
Refers to the energy that an appliance or an electronic device consumes when it is not actually turned on
Cogeneration system
combustion of any fossil fuel reaction
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Plant
Anaerobic Digester
Hydroelectric Dam
Geothermal Plant
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
Solar energy systems have been increasing the percentage of energy they contributed to the global energy supply. One of the fastest growing types of solar energy systems uses photovoltaic (PV) cells. The graph below shows the solar power generated in one day in a country in the Northern Hemisphere in the month of July.
Which of the following best describes how a homeowner using an off-the-grid PV solar system, in the same country as seen in the graph above, can power a home between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM?
A
switching to the electrical grid to obtain power
B
relying on sources like wind or hydroelectricity in times of darkness
C
using excess energy from a sunny day stored in batteries for power
D
burning wood to create heat and light for the home
C
using excess energy from a sunny day stored in batteries for power
Solar energy systems have been increasing the percentage of energy they contributed to the global energy supply. One of the fastest growing types of solar energy systems uses photovoltaic (PV) cells. The graph below shows the solar power generated in one day in a country in the Northern Hemisphere in the month of July.
Which of the following time periods has the highest energy output?
A
10 am- 12 pm
B
12 pm - 2 pm
C
2pm-4pm
D
4pm -6pm
B
12 pm - 2 pm
Solar energy systems have been increasing the percentage of energy they contributed to the global energy supply. One of the fastest growing types of solar energy systems uses photovoltaic (PV) cells. The graph below shows the solar power generated in one day in a country in the Northern Hemisphere in the month of July.
Which of the following graphs best predicts the solar energy output in the country in the Northern Hemisphere in December?
A
B
C
D
B
Wind energy is increasingly relied upon to help meet global energy needs. Wind energy can be used to generate electricity using wind turbines.
Question
Which of the following best describes electricity generation using wind turbines?
A
Newer wind turbines can generate consistent electricity even when there is no wind.
B
Wind turbines can be constructed on either vertical or horizontal axes.
C
Wind turbines are rarely used offshore because they tend to float in rough seas.
D
Wind turbines can be used by individual homeowners but have limited effectiveness when connected to the electrical grid.
B
Wind turbines can be constructed on either vertical or horizontal axes.
Wind energy is increasingly relied upon to help meet global energy needs. Wind energy can be used to generate electricity using wind turbines.
Which of the following correctly identifies the sequence of energy conversions that occur in a wind turbine?
A
Mechanical energy → kinetic energy → electrical energy
B
Potential energy → mechanical energy → kinetic energy
C
Kinetic energy → mechanical energy → electrical energy
D
Potential energy → electrical energy → mechanical energy
C
Kinetic energy → mechanical energy → electrical energy
Wind energy is increasingly relied upon to help meet global energy needs. Wind energy can be used to generate electricity using wind turbines.
Which of the following are often used for energy storage of wind power?
A
Converters
B
Generators
C
Batteries
D
Rotor blades
C
Batteries
Refrigerator A uses 500 watts per hour when the motor is operating. The motor needs to run an average of 12 hours per day, every day, to stay at a constant, cold temperature. This model of refrigerator lasts an average of 20 years before it needs to be replaced and costs $1,000.
Each kWh of electricity costs $0.12.
How many kilowatt hours (kWh) per year does refrigerator A use?
A
6kWh
B
182kWh
C
2,190kWh
D
2,190,000kWh
C
2,190kWh
Refrigerator A uses 500 watts per hour when the motor is operating. The motor needs to run an average of 12 hours per day, every day, to stay at a constant, cold temperature. This model of refrigerator lasts an average of 20 years before it needs to be replaced and costs $1,000.
Each kWh of electricity costs $0.12.
The homeowner is considering purchasing a new model of refrigerator, Refrigerator B. This model uses 50 percent less energy per year. Which of the following would be the estimated cost savings for the homeowner in a year if she replaces Refrigerator A with Refrigerator B?
A
$30.00
B
$131.40
C
$262.80
D
$500.00
B
$131.40
Which of the following statements correctly describes a difference between biomass-fired power plants and traditional fossil-fuel-burning power plants, such as coal-fired plants?
A
The production of biomass does not release carbon dioxide but burning fossil fuels does.
B
The operational costs of biomass plants are very high when compared with traditional fossil fuel plants.
C
Biomass plants produce higher levels of mercury emissions than fossil fuel plants.
D
Biomasterm-9s as a fuel source is not widely available all over the world while fossil fuels are abundant around the world.
B
The operational costs of biomass plants are very high when compared with traditional fossil fuel plants.
Which of the following identifies the air pollutants most commonly released during the burning of biomass?
A
Lead ( Pb ), carbon monoxide ( CO ), and nitric acid ( HNO3 )
B
Particulate matter ( PM ), ozone ( O3 ), and carbon monoxide ( CO )
C
Carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), particulate matter ( PM ), and carbon monoxide ( CO )
D
Polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs ), carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), and chlorofluorocarbons ( CFCs )
C
Carbon dioxide ( CO2 ), particulate matter ( PM ), and carbon monoxide ( CO )
Which of the following is an environmental benefit associated with substituting ethanol for gasoline?
A
Ethanol is more energy efficient than gasoline.
B
Ethanol has a lower cost than gasoline.
C
Burning ethanol produces fewer air pollutants than burning gasoline alone.
D
Burning ethanol removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
C
Burning ethanol produces fewer air pollutants than burning gasoline alone.
Which of the following best describes a potential advantage of using geothermal energy instead of solar farms for power generation?
A
Harnessing geothermal energy does not release hydrogen sulfide gas, whereas solar farms do.
B
Geothermal energy does not release greenhouse gases, whereas solar farms do.
C
Geothermal energy can be harnessed without destroying large tracts of habitat, whereas solar farms require large amounts of space.
D
Geothermal energy is easily accessible and can be harnessed in most parts of the world, whereas solar energy is difficult to harness.
C
Geothermal energy can be harnessed without destroying large tracts of habitat, whereas solar farms require large amounts of space.
Geothermal energy is used to run large and complex power stations as well as small and relatively simple pumping systems.
Which of the following most accurately explains how geothermal energy is produced and utilized in these applications?
A
Geothermal energy uses heat from the Sun to raise the Earth's surface temperatures to a point where these applications can heat homes and buildings.
B
Geothermal energy uses heat from the Sun to create atmospheric temperature gradients, which in turn power turbines to generate electricity.
C
Geothermal energy uses the natural insulating power of Earth to create temperature differentials that are used to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer.
D
Geothermal energy cannot be tapped directly from heat generated by volcanoes or other geologically active areas.
C
Geothermal energy uses the natural insulating power of Earth to create temperature differentials that are used to heat buildings in the winter and cool them in the summer.
Which of the following is required to convert geothermal energy into electricity?
A
Wind
B
Groundwater
C
Fossil fuel
D
Sunlight
B
Groundwater
A hydrogen fuel cell-powered car driving on a highway is different from gasoline-powered cars because hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars only emit
A
carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas
B
carbon dioxide and heat
C
water vapor and hydrogen gas
D
water vapor and heat
D
water vapor and heat
Which of the following best explains energy transformation in hydrogen fuel cells?
A
Methane reacts with oxygen to produce carbon and hydrogen atoms, which releases energy.
B
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water, which releases energy.
C
In the presence of sunlight, carbon dioxide reacts with water to produce sugar and oxygen, requiring energy.
D
Hydrogen chloride is dissolved in water, requiring energy.
B
Hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce water, which releases energy.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of using hydrogen fuel cells?
A
Hydrogen gas is not readily available on Earth.
B
The products of the reactions in hydrogen fuel cells damage the environment.
C
Hydrogen fuel cells are much less efficient in powering vehicles than internal combustion engines are.
D
Hydrogen fuel cells need to be very large to generate electricity.
A
Hydrogen gas is not readily available on Earth.
A state is looking to reduce the cost of transportation, which uses 7.10×1014 BTUs per year. Currently the cost of 106 BTUs is $20.00. How much will the state save in one year if they implement regulations requiring all transportation methods to be 20% more efficient?
A
2.10×10^7 dollars
B
2.84×10^9 dollars
C
1.42×10^14 dollars
D
2.84×10^15 dollars
B
2.84×10^9 dollars
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
Biomass
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources.
A) Biomass
B) Wind
C) Tidal energy
D) Nuclear fission
E) Sunlight
The source whose use is a direct cause of deforestation
Biomass
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources.
A) Biomass
B) Wind
C) Tidal energy
D) Nuclear fission
E) Sunlight
The source that is not renewable
Nuclear fission
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources.
A) Biomass
B) Wind
C) Tidal energy
D) Nuclear fission
E) Sunlight
The source that produces long-lived hazardous wastes
Nuclear fission
Directions: Select the choice that best fits each statement. The following question(s) refer to the following energy sources.
A) Biomass
B) Wind
C) Tidal energy
D) Nuclear fission
E) Sunlight
The source that is converted directly into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells
Sunlight
Note 
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