EXTRA CREDIT 6.17 Alternative Energy Quiz

What is an advantage (+) of solar energy?

• It is expensive to use.

• environmentally friendly

• It is only available at night.

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'environmentally friendly', highlights a key advantage of solar energy, as it produces clean energy without harmful emissions, unlike fossil fuels. The other options are incorrect as they describe disadvantages.

What is a disadvantage (-) of solar energy?

• reduce reliance on fossil fuels

• renewable and sustainable

• weather dependence

Answer explanation

A disadvantage of solar energy is its weather dependence. Solar panels generate less energy on cloudy or rainy days, making their efficiency variable and reliant on weather conditions.

What is an advantage (+) of wind energy?

• reduced greenhouse gas emissions

• energy storage challenges

• Expensive to install

Answer explanation

An advantage of wind energy is that it leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making it a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. This helps combat climate change and improves air quality.

What is a disadvantage (-) of wind energy?

• It works well without wind and is always available.

• It is expensive to produce and is non-renewable.

• Wind is unpredictable, and turbines can harm birds and bats.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that wind energy is unpredictable, meaning it can be inconsistent. Additionally, wind turbines can pose a threat to birds and bats, making this a significant disadvantage of wind energy.

What is an advantage (+) of hydroelectric energy?

• initial cost is high

• limited to areas with bodies of water

• uses the natural, renewable energy of flowing water

Answer explanation

An advantage of hydroelectric energy is that it uses the natural, renewable energy of flowing water, making it a sustainable energy source compared to fossil fuels.

What is a disadvantage (-) of hydroelectric energy?

• It can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

• It produces harmful greenhouse gases during operation.

• It requires specific weather conditions to generate electricity.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights a significant disadvantage of hydroelectric energy: it can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats due to damming rivers and altering water flow, which can harm aquatic and terrestrial species.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is an advantage (+) of geothermal energy?

• it can disrupt subsurface ecosystems

• It is initially very expensive

• It produces little to no pollution

Answer explanation

An advantage of geothermal energy is that it produces little to no pollution, making it a clean energy source compared to fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

What is an disadvantage (-) of geothermal energy?

• reduced dependence on fossil fuels

• location-dependent

• renewable and sustainable

Answer explanation

A disadvantage of geothermal energy is that it is location-dependent, meaning it can only be harnessed in specific areas with suitable geological conditions, limiting its widespread use.

What is an advantage (+) of biomass energy?

• It requires no land or water resources to produce.

• It helps reduce waste by repurposing organic materials.

• High carbon emissions

Answer explanation

An advantage of biomass energy is that it helps reduce waste by repurposing organic materials, turning potential waste into a valuable energy source, which contributes to sustainability.

What is a disadvantage (-) of biomass energy?

• Competes with food production

• Reduces carbon emissions

• Abundant supply

Answer explanation

A disadvantage of biomass energy is that it competes with food production, as land and resources used for growing biomass can reduce the availability of food crops, potentially leading to food shortages.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2