APES Test Review (6.6-6.13)

What is nuclear energy and how is it produced?

Nuclear energy is produced through nuclear fission, where the nucleus of Uranium-235 is split by a neutron, releasing large amounts of heat energy and more neutrons in a chain reaction.

What is radioactivity?

Radioactivity is the release of energy from unstable atomic nuclei as they decay over time.

What is half-life?

Half-life is the time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

How does a nuclear power plant generate electricity?

Heat from fission turns water into steam, the steam spins a turbine, and the turbine powers a generator to produce electricity.

What do control rods do in a nuclear reactor?

Control rods absorb neutrons to slow or stop the nuclear reaction and prevent overheating or meltdown.

Why is nuclear energy considered nonrenewable?

It is nonrenewable because uranium and other radioactive fuels are limited resources.

What are advantages of nuclear energy?

It produces electricity without releasing air pollutants or carbon dioxide during operation.

energy flow

Heat → Steam → Turbine → Generator → Electricity

What are disadvantages of nuclear energy?

It produces radioactive waste, uses large amounts of water, and carries risks of meltdowns and contamination.

What are examples of major nuclear meltdowns?

Three Mile Island, Fukushima, and Chernobyl are the most well-known nuclear accidents.

What are environmental impacts of nuclear meltdowns?

They can cause radiation spread, contaminated soil, and long-term health effects like cancer and genetic mutations.

What is biomass energy?

Biomass energy comes from burning organic materials like wood, animal waste, and plant matter for heat or electricity.

What are biofuels?

Biofuels are liquid fuels like ethanol and biodiesel made from biomass such as corn or plant oils.

Why is biomass considered carbon neutral?

It releases carbon that was recently absorbed from the atmosphere rather than carbon stored for millions of years.

What are environmental and health impacts of biomass burning?

It releases pollutants like CO, NOx, and particulate matter, causing respiratory problems and deforestation.

What is ethanol fuel?

Ethanol is produced by fermenting crops like corn or sugarcane and is often mixed with gasoline.

What are drawbacks of ethanol production?

It requires large amounts of crops, water, and land, and can cause soil erosion and habitat loss.

What is biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a fuel made from plant oils like soy, canola, or palm oil.

What are environmental concerns with biodiesel?

Deforestation, increased greenhouse gases, and habitat loss can occur, especially with palm oil production.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy uses sunlight to produce heat or electricity.

What is passive solar energy?

Passive solar uses building design to absorb or block heat without mechanical systems.

What is active solar energy?

Active solar uses devices like solar panels or heaters to capture and convert solar energy.

How do photovoltaic cells work?

They use sunlight to excite electrons in semiconductors, generating an electric current.

What is a limitation of solar energy?

It is intermittent and only generates electricity when sunlight is available.

What is concentrated solar thermal energy?

Mirrors focus sunlight to heat water, producing steam to spin a turbine and generate electricity.

What are advantages of solar energy?

It produces no air pollutants or greenhouse gases during electricity generation.

What are disadvantages of solar energy?

It can require large land areas and disrupt habitats, and materials like silicon must be mined.

What is hydroelectric power?

It generates electricity by using moving water to spin turbines connected to generators.

How do dams produce electricity?

Water stored in a reservoir flows through a dam, turning turbines to generate electricity.

What are benefits of hydroelectric dams?

They provide reliable electricity, reduce air pollution, and help control flooding.

What are environmental impacts of dams?

They flood ecosystems, block fish migration, and alter sediment flow in rivers.

What is a run-of-river system?

It generates electricity using natural river flow without creating a large reservoir.

What is tidal energy?

It uses the movement of ocean tides to spin turbines and generate electricity.

What are fish ladders?

They are structures that allow fish to swim around dams to reach breeding areas.

What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy uses heat from inside the Earth to produce steam and generate electricity.

How is geothermal electricity generated?

Water is heated underground, turned into steam, and used to spin turbines connected to generators.

Why is geothermal energy renewable?

The Earth's internal heat is continuously produced and does not run out.

What are drawbacks of geothermal energy?

It is expensive to access, location-dependent, and can release hydrogen sulfide gas.

What is a ground source heat pump?

It transfers heat between a building and the ground to heat or cool efficiently.

What is a hydrogen fuel cell?

It generates electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing water as the only byproduct.

How do hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity?

Electrons from hydrogen flow through a circuit, creating an electric current.

What is a challenge with hydrogen fuel?

Producing hydrogen gas requires a lot of energy and often relies on fossil fuels.

What is electrolysis?

It uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen without producing carbon dioxide.

What are advantages of hydrogen fuel cells?

They produce no air pollution and are highly efficient.

What are disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cells?

They require infrastructure, large storage tanks, and energy-intensive production.

What is wind energy?

Wind energy uses moving air to spin turbines that generate electricity.

How do wind turbines generate electricity?

Wind turns blades connected to a generator, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.

Where are wind farms typically located?

They are placed in open, windy areas or offshore to maximize energy production.

What are advantages of wind energy?

It produces no air pollution or greenhouse gases and does not deplete resources.

What are disadvantages of wind energy?

It is intermittent and can harm birds and bats.

What is energy conservation?

Energy conservation involves reducing energy use through efficiency and behavior changes.

What are examples of small-scale energy conservation?

Using efficient appliances, lowering thermostats, and conserving water.

What are examples of large-scale energy conservation?

Improving vehicle fuel efficiency, using public transportation, and designing energy-efficient buildings.

What is sustainable home design?

It uses insulation, passive solar design, and efficient materials to reduce energy use.

What are water conservation strategies?

Using low-flow devices, collecting rainwater, and planting native vegetation

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