Jenga review game
APES Unit 6 – Connected Cram Review
1. Nonrenewable energy
Energy that cannot be replenished quickly (coal, oil, natural gas, uranium).
→ Forms over millions of years.
→ Finite supply.
→ Major source of CO₂ emissions.
2. Renewable energy
Energy naturally replenished (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass).
→ Replaced on human time scale.
→ Lower greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Unit for electrical energy in homes
Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
→ 1 kW used for 1 hour.
→ Utility bills are measured in kWh.
4. Sector using most energy (U.S.)
Transportation or industrial.
→ Transportation uses most petroleum.
→ Industrial uses energy for manufacturing.
5. Power vs Energy
Power = rate energy is used (watts).
Energy = total work done (joules, kWh).
→ Power is speed. Energy is amount.
6. Per capita energy consumption
Energy used per person.
→ Higher in developed countries.
→ Shows standard of living.
7. Why developed countries use more
More technology, industry, vehicles, AC/heating.
8. Environmental impact of high energy use
Air pollution, climate change, habitat destruction.
→ Burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ and pollutants.
9. Three major fossil fuels
Coal, oil (petroleum), natural gas.
10. Fossil fuel with most CO₂ per energy
Coal
→ Highest carbon content.
11. Incomplete combustion forms
Carbon monoxide (CO)
→ Toxic gas.
→ Happens when not enough oxygen.
12. Environmental impact of coal mining
Habitat destruction, acid mine drainage, erosion.
→ Acid mine drainage lowers pH in streams.
13. Mountaintop removal
Removing mountaintops to access coal.
→ Destroys ecosystems.
→ Buries streams.
14. Risk of offshore drilling
Oil spills harming ecosystems.
→ Marine life damage.
15. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)
Injecting high-pressure fluid to fracture rock and release gas.
16. Concern with fracking
Groundwater contamination, methane leaks.
→ Methane = powerful greenhouse gas.
17. Why natural gas is cleaner than coal
Produces less CO₂ and fewer air pollutants.
→ Still emits greenhouse gases.
18. Major disadvantage of fossil fuels
Pollution + finite supply.
→ Climate change.
19. Fuel in nuclear plants
Uranium (usually U-235).
20. Process in nuclear plants
Nuclear fission.
→ Splitting atoms releases heat.
21. Radioactive waste
Radioactive byproducts from fission.
→ Dangerous for thousands of years.
22. Advantage of nuclear energy
Low greenhouse gas emissions.
→ High energy density.
23. Disadvantage of nuclear
Radioactive waste, accident risk, high cost.
24. Nuclear meltdown
Reactor overheating and radiation release.
→ Rare but severe.
25. Why long-term storage is hard
Waste remains dangerous for thousands of years.
→ Requires secure containment.
26. Solar converts
Radiant energy (sunlight) → electricity.
27. Advantage of solar
Renewable, low emissions.
→ Abundant resource.
28. Limitation of solar
Intermittent (only works when sunny).
→ Needs storage or backup.
29. What causes wind
Uneven heating of Earth’s surface.
→ Creates pressure differences.
30. Environmental impact of wind turbines
Bird/bat mortality, noise, visual impact.
31. How hydroelectric dams generate electricity
Moving water spins turbines connected to generators.
32. Advantage of hydro
Renewable, low emissions once built.
33. Disadvantage of dams
Habitat flooding, fish migration disruption.
Example: Three Gorges Dam
→ Massive power output
→ Displaced over 1 million people
→ Ecosystem disruption
34. Geothermal energy
Heat from Earth’s interior.
35. Why geothermal is renewable
Earth continually produces heat.
36. Biomass energy
Energy from organic matter (wood, crops, waste).
37. Environmental concern with biomass
Air pollution, deforestation, CO₂ emissions.
38. Energy efficiency
Using less energy for same task.
Formula:
Efficiency = (useful output ÷ total input) × 100
39. Energy conservation
Reducing energy use (turning off lights).
Efficiency = better tech
Conservation = using less
40. Why LEDs are efficient
Convert more energy to light, less to heat.
41. Insulation reduces energy use
Reduces heat loss/gain → less heating & cooling needed.
42. Cogeneration (combined heat & power)
Producing electricity and useful heat together.
→ Increases efficiency.
43. Energy subsidy
Government financial support for energy sources.
44. How governments encourage renewables
Tax credits, incentives, regulations.
45. Sustainability (energy)
Meeting current energy needs without harming future generations.
46. Environmental externality
Cost not included in market price (like pollution).
→ Example: Health costs from air pollution.
47. Environmental justice example
Power plants located near low-income communities.
→ Unequal pollution burden.
48. Why reducing energy use helps climate change
Reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use.
🚨 Rapid Memory Triggers for Test
Coal → most CO₂
Natural gas → cleaner than coal
Nuclear → low CO₂ but waste problem
Solar/wind → intermittent
Hydro → ecosystem disruption
Fossil fuels → finite + pollution
Efficiency = same task, less energy
Conservation = use less energy