AP Environmental Science Unit 6: Energy Resources & Consumption

Which two things increase the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere ?

• burning fossil fuels and using renewable energy sources
• burning fossil fuels and deforestation
• deforestation and shifting to renewable energy
• mining and the production of PV solar panels

Which of the following best explains the energy transformations that occur in a coal burning power plant (in the correct order)?

• chemical-heat-mechanical-electrical
• mechanical-electrical
• heat-chemical-electrical 
• chemical-mechanical-heat-electrical

Most of the energy that we use on Earth can be traced back to 

• coal
• the sun
• geothermal heat from the earth
• natural gas

Deposits of natural gas are most numerous in ________.

• the Middle East
• Panama
• South America
• USA and Russia

problems associated with the use of trees for biomass include all of the following except

• potential soil eroision
• potential deforestation
• burning fossilized carbon and releasing it into the atmosphere
• the loss of habitat for wildlife and some people

All of the following renewable resources are derived from the sun in some way EXCEPT

• biomass
• wind
• hydroelectric
• geothermal

Due to energy being lost during production, transportation, etc. Coal-burning power plants are only about ____% efficient.

• 50
• 1
• 35
• 99

The main advantage to using natural gas as a fuel or to power industrial plants is that

• natural gas is more abundant and cheaper to harvest/mine
• it burns cleaner and has less air pollutants
• natural gas is one of the most harmful fossil fuels to the environment
• it is better for the economy than coal or petroleum 

Energy conservation in the United States ________.

• can be accomplished only through changes in environmental laws
• is unlikely to ever occur
• can be accomplished by changes in tax laws
• can be improved as individuals make conscious choices to reduce personal consumption

Passive solar design includes all of the following except

• large windows on the south side of the house
• floor and walls that will store heat in the winter
• overhang that blocks the sun in the summer, but allows it inside in the winter
• trees that block the sun for the entire year