Unit Summary Energy

Which of the following statements best describes a difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy sources?

• Nonrenewable energy sources release carbon dioxide when used, whereas renewable energy sources do not release carbon dioxide.

• Renewable energy sources are often obtained a long distance away from the customer, whereas nonrenewable energy sources are obtained locally.

• Renewable energy sources can be replaced naturally at current consumption rates, whereas nonrenewable energy sources cannot be replaced easily.

• Renewable energy sources produce energy that can be recycled after use, whereas the energy from nonrenewable energy sources cannot be recycled.

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Which of the following best identifies a benefit of using renewable energy sources rather than nonrenewable energy sources?

• Renewable energy sources do not have negative environmental impacts, whereas nonrenewable energy sources have many negative environmental impacts.

• Renewable energy sources are replenishable and are virtually inexhaustible by human consumption, whereas nonrenewable sources do not form in a short period of time.

• Renewable energy sources are available uniformly throughout the world, whereas nonrenewable sources are unequally distributed.

• Renewable energy technologies are more developed and more readily available than nonrenewable energy technologies.

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After the Industrial Revolution, the use of fossil fuels increased significantly. Despite the documented environmental effects of these resources and the availability of renewable resources, the use of nonrenewable sources continues.

Which of the following statements best explains why there is continued widespread use of nonrenewable fossil fuels in energy production in the United States?

• Established technology and transportation infrastructure for fossil fuels allows these resources to be converted into energy to meet consumer demand.

• Fossil fuels are significantly cheaper than renewable resources, so they do not require government subsidies, which ultimately saves the government money.

• The environmental effects of fossil fuels are easy to mitigate, while the environmental effects of renewable resources are difficult to understand and reverse.

• Fossil fuels will always be present and are plentiful in quantity, so there is little pressure to find a replacement for them as an energy source.

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Based on the data above, approximately how much greater is the average cost of electricity produced in the United States from offshore wind than from hydroelectric power?

• 0.42 times greater

• 0.88 times greater

• 2.3 times greater

• 3.9 times greater

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Which of the following is the approximate projected rate of change in renewable energy consumption from 2010-2040?

• 4.33 quadrillion BTUs per year

• 2.33 quadrillion BTUs per year

• 2.00 quadrillion BTUs per year

• 0.733 quadrillion BTUs per year

Natural gas, a nonrenewable fossil fuel, is often seen as an alternative fuel in the worldwide transition to a renewable energy future.

Which of the following statements best explains why natural gas is often used as a fuel when countries are transitioning from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources?

• Natural gas burns more efficiently and cleanly than other sources of carbon-based fossil fuels, thus contributing to a reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

• The infrastructure for storing and transporting natural gas can be used in the future in conjunction with hydrogen fuel technologies.

• Natural gas can be used in industrial applications only, but it has great potential to replace coal as a fuel source.

• The process of extracting natural gas, known as hydraulic fracturing, requires very little water or energy.

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Which of the following is an example of the process of cogeneration?

• Using timber waste products as biofuel

• Using wastewater from electricity production for heating homes.

• Using the corn crops for ethanol fuel production

• Using the reservoir behind a hydroelectric dam for recreation

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Which of the following best describes why people in less developed countries use wood as a primary energy source?

• The infrastructure required to transport wood is well established.

• Wood produces fewer carbon emissions than other energy sources, such as geothermal or natural gas.

• Wood can be converted to peat and cheaply burned for fuel.

• Wood, in the form of firewood and charcoal, is often readily available.

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Which of the following geologic profiles would most likely be found at the circled region in the figure?

• 
• 
• 
• 

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Which of the following describes a step in the generation of electricity using fossil fuels that can most directly lead to an environmental problem?

• Fossil fuel is burned to boil water.

• Water is converted to steam.

• Steam turns a turbine.

• Turbines power a generator.

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