Topic 8 P1 Review

Which of the following correctly describes both the role of the moderator and of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Which of the following correctly shows the energy change in a photovoltaic cell and in a solar heating panel?

• A

• B

• C

• D

The albedo for the oceans is lower than that for glaciers. This is because, compared to ice, sea water

• has a greater density.

• has a greater specific heat capacity.

• has a greater coefficient of volume expansion.

• absorbs a greater amount of radiative power.

Which of the following is likely to increase greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere?

• Using natural gas instead of coal to generate electrical energy   

• Incineration of waste to generate electrical energy

•  Increased use of wind turbines to generate electrical energy

• Carbon dioxide capture and storage at the power station

In a nuclear power station, uranium is used as the energy source and plutonium-239 is produced. Which of the following is true?

• Plutonium-239 is produced by nuclear fusion    

• A moderator is used to absorb plutonium-239.

• Control rods are used to slow down plutonium-239.

• Plutonium-239 can be used as a fuel in another type of nuclear reactor.

The diagram shows a simple climate model for the Earth.

What does this model predict for the average albedo of the Earth?

• 0.30

• 0.51

• 0.70

• 0.81

Methane and carbon dioxide are both greenhouse gases that are believed to cause global warming. The reason for this is that these gases

• absorb incoming radiation from the Sun

• transmit the incoming radiation from the Sun and radiation from the Earth.

• reflect incoming radiation from the Sun.

• transmit incoming radiation from the Sun and absorb outgoing radiation from the Earth.

A black body emits radiation with its greatest intensity at a wavelength of I_max. The surface temperature of the black body doubles without any other change occurring. What is the wavelength at which the greatest intensity of radiation is emitted?

• I_max

• I_max / 2

• I_max / 4

• I_max / 16

X and Y are two spherical black-body radiators that emit the same total power. The absolute temperature of X is half that of Y. 

What is (radius of X) ÷ (radius of Y)?

• 4

• 8

• 16

• 32

Burning one litre of gasoline produces more energy than burning one kilogram of coal, and

the density of gasoline is smaller than 1 g cm^-3. What can be deduced from this information?

• Energy density is greater for gasoline.

• Specific energy is greater for gasoline.

• Energy density is greater for coal.

• Specific energy is greater for coal.