5-18-18 Multiple Choice Practice - Environmental Science

What is not a drawback in using solar energy?

• The total amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth is too low to be useful.

• The solar energy that reaches the Earth is diffuse and hard to collect.

• Solar cells and other equipment are expensive.

• Sunlight is not always available, depending on season and time of day.

Which location would make the most sense for a geothermal electricity plant?

• An exceptionally windy area off the coast of Massachusetts.

• Along a wide and powerful river flowing through Colorado.

• In a hot and dry area like Arizona.

• In a volcanically active area like Washington state.

Which form of renewable energy does generate some air pollution as it operates?

• Photovoltaic solar cells

• Wind farms

• Hydrokinetic

• None of these generates air pollution.

A greenhouse is built with clear glass or plastic panels that allow sunlight through; trapping the heat inside. This is an example of a …

• Active heating solar structure

• Passive heating solar structure

• Photovoltaic cell

• High temperature parabolic collector

Q. A small pool is outfitted with pumps pipes that deliver water up to the roof of the nearby house. As the water circulates through the pipes on the roof, it is warmed by heat from the sun. The water is then pumped back into the pool. This is an example of a…

• Active heating solar structure

• Passive heating solar structure

• Photovoltaic cell

• High temperature parabolic collector

To produce the same intensity and color of light, you can choose from a 60-watt incandescent bulb, a 17-watt compact fluorescent bulb, or a 10-watt LED bulb. Which is the most energy efficient?

• The incandescent bulb.

• The compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb.

• The LED bulb.

• They are all about the same.

Fuel cells use a chemical reaction to generate electric current. What is the energy source for this technology?

• Methane gas

• Hydrogen gas

• Water

• Oil

What waste product(s) is/are released by hydrogen fuel cell vehicles?

• Carbon dioxide and water vapor.

• Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide.

• Carbon dioxide only.

• Water vapor only.

If your car is about 30% efficient in producing motion, what is happening to the other 70% of the energy it takes in?

• The energy is destroyed.

• The energy is lost as heat.

• The other 70% is still in the gas tank.

• The energy is converted to the mass of the particles leaving through its exhaust.

Coal is called a fossil fuel, because it originates from…

• Algae and plankton remains accumulating at the bottom of sea beds.

• Non-decomposed plant matter; mostly lignin, that accumulated in swamps and became buried.

• The bones and remains of large dinosaurs.

• The breakdown of rocks deep within the Earth’s mantle.