Unit 18 Benefits and Risks: Study Guide

Which of the following are pieces of evidence that contradict the argument that solar power is a beneficial energy investment for long-term sustainability?

• Solar panel production involves significant carbon emissions and toxic waste.

• Solar power is available 24/7 without interruption.

• Solar panels produce energy with no green house gas emissions.

• Solar energy systems require no land or resource use.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Which of the following are pieces of evidence that support the argument that nuclear power is too dangerous to use as an energy source?

• Nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima have caused widespread harm.

• Nuclear waste can be safely stored in barrels deep underground.

• Nuclear power plants produce zero carbon emissions.

• Nuclear energy is the cheapest form of electricity.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Which two pieces of evidence support the argument that hydroelectric power has environmental trade-offs?

• Hydroelectric dams can disrupt fish migration and alter river ecosystems.

• Hydroelectric power produces no greenhouse gas emissions at all.

• Hydroelectric dams cannot be used in mountainous regions.

• Hydroelectric power is always the cheapest form of energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Which of the following is a list of nonrenewable resources?

• Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy

• Solar, wind, hydro, geothermal

• Wood, paper, cotton, wool

• Sunlight, water, air, soil

What determines the sustainability of an energy resource?

• The rate at which it can be replenished

• Its color

• The location where it is found

• The cost of extraction

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-3

One disadvantage of using solar energy as a primary energy source is:

• It is non-renewable

• It produces greenhouse gases

• It is dependent on sunlight availability

• It is more expensive than all fossil fuels

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

Energy resource allocation is important for governments and societies because:

• It ensures a balance in energy demand and environmental sustainability.

• It increases energy wastage.

• It discourages technological innovation.

• It eliminates renewable resources.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

8. A renewable energy resource is:

• A resource that can be replaced naturally in a short period of time.

• A resource that is used up faster than it can be replaced.

• A resource that cannot be replaced once it is used.

• A resource that is always man-made.

Provide two pieces of evidence that oppose any reasoning to transition from coal to wind energy.

• Wind energy is inconsistant and less reliable than coal; wind turbines create more noise pollution than coal.

• Wind energy produces more greenhouse gases than coal; wind turbines are more expensive to operate.

• Coal is a renewable resource; wind energy causes more air pollution.

• Wind turbines generate more noise pollution than coal plants; coal is a nonrenewable resource.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ETS1-3

What is a significant risk associated with nuclear energy despite its low carbon emissions?

• Radioactive waste

• Air pollution

• Deforestation

• Greenhouse gas emissions

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4