Natural Resources

Geothermal energy is an alternative energy source. However, it is not resourceful enough to replace more than a minor amount of the Earth's energy needs. Why is this?

• There are only a few places where the Earth's core is hot. It is cool in places like Antarctica.

• The center of the Earth is not hot enough to make a significant energy contribution.

• Drilling through the Earth to reach areas hot enough to create steam is possible, but very expensive and difficult.

• Once the cool water is poured down the well and filters through the rocks, the rocks cool off and are no longer hot enough to turn water into steam.

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Which of the following is a nonrenewable energy source?

• solar power

• wind power

• heating oil

• biofuel

Most of the world's automobiles run on energy acquired from petroleum. Like all fossil fuels, petroleum is a nonrenewable energy resource. This means that it is a resource that cannot be replaced as quickly as humans use up existing supplies.

Humans face a problem because once petroleum reserves begin to run out, there won't be enough fuel to power all the automobiles in the world. Which of the following is the best potential long-term solution to this specific problem of energy supply?

• Use more petroleum, but make sure it is used only in fuel-efficient automobiles.

• Maintain current consumption of petroleum, but use it only to manufacture plastics.

• Use a cleaner fossil fuel, such as natural gas, to power automobiles.

• Use renewable resources, such as solar energy, to power automobiles.

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The map shows that different regions of the world have different soil types.

Which of the following is most likely true?

• The soil type of a region depends on the type of geologic processes that occur there and the rate at which they occur.

• All types of vegetation are able to grow equally well in all soil types around the world.

• The geologic processes that result in soil occur at the same time and at the same rate in every region of the world.

• The soil type of a region depends only on the distance of that region from the ocean.

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Life-cycle analysis tries to determine the total environmental impact of a product, from the gathering of its raw materials through disposal of the product when it is no longer useful.

Life-cycle analysis studies of cars that burn gasoline in 2010 showed that roughly 80% of their environmental impact is due to the fuel they burn. Similar analysis of electric cars estimated that about 55% of their environmental impact is due to the energy used to recharge—or "refuel"—the cars. Manufacturing electric cars had slightly more impact on the environment than manufacturing gasoline-powered cars.

According to the above information, during which part of an electric car's life will it have less impact on the environment than a gasoline powered car will?

• while it is being disposed of

• while it is being manufactured

• while it is being repaired

• while it is being used

If humans run out of the following resources, which resource would be most difficult to replace?

• lumber

• rice

• wind energy

• coal

The graphic below shows the average petroleum consumption in millions of barrels per day of different regions of the world from 1980 to 2010.

Much of the petroleum consumed in the last few decades has been extracted from relatively few locations around the world, because most of the world's easily accessible petroleum deposits are concentrated in these areas.

How has this continued petroleum extraction from selected areas over time likely affected petroleum resources on Earth?

• Petroleum resources have been replenished as quickly as they have been extracted.

• More petroleum is now available overall because extraction techniques result in the formation of more petroleum.

• The distribution of petroleum has changed and less petroleum is now available overall.

• The distribution of petroleum has not changed in any way, and there is the same amount of petroleum available now as there was in the past.

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Several regions in the United States export petroleum to other regions. To export the petroleum, thousands of miles of pipelines have been constructed. Often, these must be built on or near coastal wetland areas.

The graphs below show human consumption of petroleum in the USA from 1930 to 2010 and the area of coastal wetland in a particular region during the same time period.

Which statement is the best solution to the potential problems related to the data shown in the two graphs?

• The coastal wetlands should be cleared more rapidly to meet the higher demand for petroleum pipelines.

• As future pipelines are built or restored, great care should be taken to avoid damaging too much of the coastal wetlands.

• As future pipelines are built or restored, most of the coastal wetlands should be used for building roads and construction sites.

• The coastal wetlands should be changed into riverways for shipping to help reduce the need for pipelines.

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Plastics are made from petroleum. Because of plastic’s flexibility and sturdiness, people use plastics to make many different kinds of products. How does the increase in the use of plastics affect the availability of petroleum?

• It decreases petroleum’s availability.

• It causes petroleum’s availability to be erratic.

• It does not affect petroleum’s availability.

• It increases petroleum’s availability.

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The oil industry is an important part of the economy for many regions in the United States. The graph below shows the percentage of oil exports in a particular state, compared to the national average.

The current high demand for oil will likely continue. There are certain risks when exporting oil since oil spills can occur. Based on this information, what should be done to minimize the environmental risk and maintain the state's oil economy?

• The oil industry should be expanded without monitoring its activities associated with the environment.

• Oil exports should be supported, but they should be carefully monitored to ensure a clean environment.

• Vegetation should be cleared on land to enhance oil pipeline routes to avoid dangerous spills.

• Oil exports should continue at their current level since oil is the primary source of income for the state.

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