Energy & Fossil Fuels Quiz

Which of the following is the correct order for the evolution of energy-efficient lightbulbs?

• CFL, incandescent, halogen, LED

• CFL, LED, halogen, incandescent

• incandescent, CFL, LED, halogen

• incandescent, halogen, CFL, LED

Which of the following are the three largest sources of energy for the United States?

• petroleum, natural gas, and coal

• solar, natural gas, and coal

• petroleum, hydroelectric, and natural gas

• solar, wind, and hydroelectric

• nuclear, hydroelectric, and coal

Which of the following is NOT true of coal?

• The burning of coal produces high amounts of air pollution.

• Energy produced from coal is inconsistent and unreliable.

• The burning of coal contributes to climate change.

• Electricity production from coal is less expensive than other energy sources such as solar and wind.

Which of the following is NOT true of solar energy?

• Solar energy is most efficiently collected in highly populated areas.

• Solar energy is difficult to store.

• There is plenty of solar radiation to fuel the whole world with the correct technology.

• One of the drawbacks to solar energy is the cost of producing photovoltaic cells.

Which of the following is NOT true of wind energy?

• Electricity produced from wind can be inconsistent and unreliable.

• Coastlines, valleys, and agricultural fields are all good locations for wind power generation.

• Small wind turbines are less destructive to bird populations than large turbines.

• Wind turbines convert thermal energy into electrical energy.

Which of the following IS true of nuclear energy?

• Nuclear meltdowns can affect large areas, but are easily cleaned up.

• Nuclear power is a renewable energy source.

• Nuclear power produces radioactive waste that must be disposed of properly.

• Nuclear power produces more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases than oil or coal power.

Which of the following NOT true of oil?

• The transportation of oil has caused several environmental disasters.

• Oil is refined to produce petroleum products for cosmetics, transportation, and plastics.

• As oil deposits are consumed, extraction of oil becomes more costly.

• Oil deposits are most abundantly found in Europe and South America.

Which of the following energy sources is incorrectly matched?

• oil- nonrenewable

• solar- renewable

• wind- renewable

• natural gas- nonrenewable

• geothermal- nonrenewable

Two advantages of fossil fuels include high energy density and widespread availability, while two disadvantages are environmental pollution and resource depletion. Which option best represents these advantages and disadvantages?

• Advantages: high energy density and availability; Disadvantages: pollution and depletion

• Advantages: renewable and clean; Disadvantages: expensive and limited

• Advantages: high cost and limited supply; Disadvantages: environmentally friendly and sustainable

• Advantages: non-polluting and inexhaustible; Disadvantages: low energy output and unreliable

Choose a renewable energy type and a nonrenewable energy type. For example, Renewable: Solar, Nonrenewable: Natural Gas. Solar energy uses photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, while natural gas is burned to heat water and produce steam that turns turbines.

• Solar and Natural Gas: Solar energy uses photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, and natural gas is burned to heat water for steam turbines.

• Wind and Coal: Wind energy is harvested by turbines, and coal is burned to produce electricity.

• Hydro and Oil: Hydro uses water flow through turbines, and oil is used in engines to generate power.

• Geothermal and Nuclear: Geothermal uses heat from the earth, and nuclear energy uses fission reactions.