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WorksheetsUnit 3 Energy Review (ESS.8.4.1, ESS.8.4.2, ESS.8.4.3 & ESS.8.4)
Total questions: 85
Worksheet time: 1hrs 25mins
Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable?
They are replenished by processes that take millions of years.
They are formed from living things.
They are only found in limited quantities.
They cannot be replenished.
An environmental group published research that analyzed an increase in greenhouse gases in a region. It was found that this was a consequence of the extensive use of a particular energy source. Which type of energy source was most likely cited in the research?
coal
nuclear
solar
wind
As the human population continues to increase exponentially, what is one important way that humans can help to minimize their impact on global warming?
Use mass transit, such as buses and trains and carpool more often.
Consume produce from large farms and agribusinesses instead of food grown locally.
Operate appliances during peak hours of the day instead of in the evening and night.
Build houses in the suburbs instead of homes in major cities and urban centers.
What is a limitation for using solar energy to meet global energy needs?
Energy from the Sun cannot meet Earth's energy needs because at any given time half of the Earth is in darkness.
Energy from the Sun cannot meet Earth's energy needs because the Sun simply does not produce enough power.
Energy from the Sun far exceeds global energy needs, but methods for efficiently capturing and storing it have not been found.
Energy from the Sun far exceeds global energy needs, but most of that energy cannot reach the Earth due to interstellar dust and clouds.
Which energy source contributes to the greatest emissions of gases in the environment during the energy production process?
bio fuels
fossil fuels
nuclear energy
solar energy
Which energy sources will have minimal impact on the environment with respect to renewal and reuse?
coal
natural gas
oil
water
Which action represents an environmental consequence of burning coal to produce energy?
Burning coal increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Burning coal increases the amount of harmful radioactive waste in need of safe storage.
Burning coal increases temperatures in nearby bodies of water.
Burning coal increases the amounts of oil released into ocean ecosystems.
As part of an investigation, a group of concerned citizens collected data about the global consumption of energy by fuel type in the last 20 years. The table shows the group's data. The citizens concluded that fossil fuel consumptions has reduced across the world. Based on the graph, is the conclusion correct and why?
Yes. Consumption of renewables has increased globally over the time period.
No. consumption of renewables has increased globally over the time period.
Yes. Consumption of coal, petroleum and natural gas has increased globally over the time period.
No. Consumption of coal, petroleum and natural gas has increased globally over the time period.
Farmers withdraw water to irrigate their crops, as indicated in this map. What volume of freshwater might Mississippi farmers have withdrawn for irrigation purposes in 2005?
750 million gallons
3,400 million gallons
11,300 million gallons
17,200 million gallons
The photograph shows a solar energy farm near Seville, Spain. The mirrors reflect incoming sunlight toward the solar tower in the center, where the energy from the sun is turned into electricity. Why are mirrors used to reflect the sunlight?
to diffuse the incoming solar radiation
to concentrate the energy from solar rays
to drive the process of nuclear fission
to create heat for burning coal
The data table below shows the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere for a period of 250 years. Use the chart to answer the question. Which scientific theory does the data support?
ozone depletion
continental drift
extinction of species
global warming
The data table below shows the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere for a period of 250 years. Use the chart to answer the question. Which is most likely the cause of this increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide?
increased use of fossil fuels
increased volcanic activity
increased use of nuclear power
increased glaciation
A student made a table that shows four natural resources and how their uses by humans could possibly impact the environment. Which two natural resources are matched correctly with their environmental impacts in the table?
timber and freshwater
coal and timber
coal and solar energy
freshwater and solar energy
Which human activity(ies) reduce(s) the reliance on nonrenewable energy resources?
activity 3 only
activity 4 only
activities 1 and 3
activities 2 and 4
The graph shows the consumption of coal in the United States between 1990 and 2004. Which environmental impact is most likely a result of the trend shown by the data?
decrease in the amount of soil erosion
decrease in atmospheric temperature
increase in polar ice quantities in the Arctic and Antarctic
increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
The department of forestry in an area started a conservation program to restore degraded land. As part of the program, they distributed seeds of a variety of fruit trees for an organic farm, which became a source of income for local people when the fruit was harvested. What is the most likely impact of the conservation program?
It will increase the biodiversity in the area.
It will decrease the quality of water in the area.
It will decrease the quantity of the topmost layer of soil in the area.
It will increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the area.
A student compares energy generated from renewable sources with fossil fuels, as shown in the table. Which statement correctly analyzes the findings summarized in the table?
People would have to invest more to harness the same amount of energy from renewable sources as from fossil fuels.
The supply of energy from fossil fuels is able to meet the demands of present and future generations.
Generating energy from fossil fuels would help people increase their energy usage with time because of high efficiency levels.
People would need to reduce their energy consumption if energy is harnessed from the renewable sources to save the resources for future generations.
Natural gas and coal are fossil fuels. When used for energy, natural gas produces about 50% less carbon dioxide than coal. Why is natural gas an important resource?
It is commonly used to clean air.
It is a cleaner fossil fuel.
It is extracted easily from air.
It is a renewable form of energy.
Fossil fuels like petroleum, coal and natural gas contribute to 86% of the primary energy production in the world. What is an environmental consequence of the extensive use of fossil fuels?
increase in oxygen content of water in the oceans
decrease in the use of renewable sources of energy
increase in greenhouse gas emissions
decrease in the average water temperature
The taiga biome, also known as the snow forest , is a collection of trees that stretches across the northern areas of the globe. There are more trees in the taiga than in all of the world's rainforests combined. What important role does the taiga play in the environment?
The trees absorb carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere and generate oxygen gas.
The trees serve as natural sources for the generation of large amounts of oil.
The trees are renewable resources that provide energy for all processes on Earth.
The trees are nonrenewable resources that provide habitats to many animal species.
The image shows motor gasoline consumption in the United States between 1960 and 2012. What is most likely an effect of the trend?
increase in the production of automobiles
contamination of groundwater resources
variation in the level of pollution in the atmosphere
reduction in the surface water temperatures of oceans
A city is powered by energy from coal. The city incorporates the use of biofuels from existing corn crops as an alternate source of energy. What can be an environmental impact of this change?
decrease in biodiversity
increase in pollution
decrease in carbon emissions
increase in surface temperatures
Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable?
They are replenished by processes that take millions of years.
They are formed from living things.
They are only found in limited quantities.
They cannot be replenished.
An environmental group published research that analyzed an increase in greenhouse gases in a region. It was found that this was a consequence of the extensive use of a particular energy source. Which type of energy source was most likely cited in the research?
coal
nuclear
solar
wind
As the human population continues to increase exponentially, what is one important way that humans can help to minimize their impact on global warming?
Use mass transit, such as buses and trains and carpool more often.
Consume produce from large farms and agribusinesses instead of food grown locally.
Operate appliances during peak hours of the day instead of in the evening and night.
Build houses in the suburbs instead of homes in major cities and urban centers.
What is a limitation for using solar energy to meet global energy needs?
Energy from the Sun cannot meet Earth's energy needs because at any given time half of the Earth is in darkness.
Energy from the Sun cannot meet Earth's energy needs because the Sun simply does not produce enough power.
Energy from the Sun far exceeds global energy needs, but methods for efficiently capturing and storing it have not been found.
Energy from the Sun far exceeds global energy needs, but most of that energy cannot reach the Earth due to interstellar dust and clouds.
Which energy source contributes to the greatest emissions of gases in the environment during the energy production process?
bio fuels
fossil fuels
nuclear energy
solar energy
Which energy sources will have minimal impact on the environment with respect to renewal and reuse?
coal
natural gas
oil
water
Which action represents an environmental consequence of burning coal to produce energy?
Burning coal increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Burning coal increases the amount of harmful radioactive waste in need of safe storage.
Burning coal increases temperatures in nearby bodies of water.
Burning coal increases the amounts of oil released into ocean ecosystems.
What conclusions can be drawn about agricultural water use in Mississippi in 2005?
Mississippi had a higher irrigation water withdrawal than any state bordering it.
Mississippi had one of the lowest irrigation water withdrawals of any state east of the Mississippi River.
Mississippi had one of the highest irrigation water withdrawals of any state east of the Mississippi River.
Mississippi withdrew more fresh water for irrigation purposes in 2005 than it had in 2004.
The United States has the third highest population of all the countries in the world, yet it has the highest energy consumption. Which energy source is the United States in danger of depleting first?
Which human activity(ies) reduce(s) the reliance on nonrenewable energy resources?
activity 3 only
activity 4 only
activities 1 and 3
activities 2 and 4
The graph shows the consumption of coal in the United States between 1990 and 2004. Which environmental impact is most likely a result of the trend shown by the data?
decrease in the amount of soil erosion
decrease in atmospheric temperature
increase in polar ice quantities in the Arctic and Antarctic
increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
The department of forestry in an area started a conservation program to restore degraded land. As part of the program, they distributed seeds of a variety of fruit trees for an organic farm, which became a source of income for local people when the fruit was harvested. What is the most likely impact of the conservation program?
It will increase the biodiversity in the area.
It will decrease the quality of water in the area.
It will decrease the quantity of the topmost layer of soil in the area.
It will increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the area.
A student compares energy generated from renewable sources with fossil fuels, as shown in the table. Which statement correctly analyzes the findings summarized in the table?
People would have to invest more to harness the same amount of energy from renewable sources as from fossil fuels.
The supply of energy from fossil fuels is able to meet the demands of present and future generations.
Generating energy from fossil fuels would help people increase their energy usage with time because of high efficiency levels.
People would need to reduce their energy consumption if energy is harnessed from the renewable sources to save the resources for future generations.
Natural gas and coal are fossil fuels. When used for energy, natural gas produces about 50% less carbon dioxide than coal. Why is natural gas an important resource?
It is commonly used to clean air.
It is a cleaner fossil fuel.
It is extracted easily from air.
It is a renewable form of energy.
Fossil fuels like petroleum, coal and natural gas contribute to 86% of the primary energy production in the world. What is an environmental consequence of the extensive use of fossil fuels?
increase in oxygen content of water in the oceans
decrease in the use of renewable sources of energy
increase in greenhouse gas emissions
decrease in the average water temperature
The taiga biome, also known as the snow forest , is a collection of trees that stretches across the northern areas of the globe. There are more trees in the taiga than in all of the world's rainforests combined. What important role does the taiga play in the environment?
The trees absorb carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere and generate oxygen gas.
The trees serve as natural sources for the generation of large amounts of oil.
The trees are renewable resources that provide energy for all processes on Earth.
The trees are nonrenewable resources that provide habitats to many animal species.
The image shows motor gasoline consumption in the United States between 1960 and 2012. What is most likely an effect of the trend?
increase in the production of automobiles
contamination of groundwater resources
variation in the level of pollution in the atmosphere
reduction in the surface water temperatures of oceans
A city is powered by energy from coal. The city incorporates the use of biofuels from existing corn crops as an alternate source of energy. What can be an environmental impact of this change?
decrease in biodiversity
increase in pollution
decrease in carbon emissions
increase in surface temperatures
When building a dam for a hydroelectric power plant, which BEST describes a possible negative effect on the environment?
flooding
air pollution
radioactive waste
A family builds an environmentally-friendly home. They want to use an energy source that is the LEAST dangerous to the environment. Which source of energy should they use to heat their home?
geothermal
natural gas
nuclear power
The use of which energy source causes the MOST damage to the environment?
fossil fuels
biomass
wind
Which form of power is the MOST energy efficient?
water turbines
coal-fired plants
combustion engines
Which pollutant is openly released into the atmosphere when coal is burned to supply energy to power plants?
lead
mercury
carbon dioxide
Which could MOST LIKELY release a high dose of radiation to the environment?
a nuclear energy power plant
a coal-burning power plant
a hydroelectric power plant
Which BEST describes an advantage of nuclear power plants over power plants that burn fossil fuels?
Nuclear power plants create less pollution.
Nuclear power plants are not dangerous.
Nuclear power plants are underground.
Which is an environmental consequence of using biomass as a source of energy?
There are no environmental consequences for using biomass as a source of energy.
Biomass creates harmful emission of carbon and sulfur, and causes massive cutting of trees.
Biomass has a great impact on the temperature of fresh water and the amount of dissolved oxygen.
Which organisms are MOST LIKELY to be harmed by the building of wind turbines?
birds
people
insects
A heavily wooded area needs additional solar collectors to meet energy demand. Which statement describes a possible environmental consequence of adding these collectors?
The amount of air pollution will increase.
The amount of water pollution will increase.
More trees will need to be planted to insulate the solar collectors.
Trees will need to be cleared for the solar collectors to work efficiently.
How has burning fossil fuels MOST caused a decline to the quality of air that people breathe?
by adding particle pollution
by creating a hole in the ozone layer
by causing acid rain to fall
by increasing the levels of carbon dioxide
Which is most likely an environmental consequence of transporting large amounts of oil on boats?
the odor disturbs the fish populations below.
the sounds disrupt the calls of nearby seabird populations
a spill would have short and long term effects on marine organisms
a large amount of energy is required to steer the boat against ocean currents.
Which statement best explains why coal is used to generate electricity despite the amount of pollution produced by burning coal?
Compared to other fuels, coal produces more energy per kilogram.
Compared to other fuels, coal is relatively cheap and plentiful.
Coal burns without producing greenhouse gases.
Coal is a renewable source of energy.
Which renewable energy source would most likely cause loss of habitat?
hydroelectric
geothermal
nuclear
biomass
When building a dam for a hydroelectric power plant, which best describes a possible negative effect on the environment?
flooding
air pollution
radioactive waste
Which is the most negative consequence of obtaining coal to use for fuel?
land destruction
water pollution
air pollution
forest fires
Which form of energy production creates the most air pollution?
coal
hydroelectric
nuclear
wind
A potential negative impact of building a dam on a river is that the dam
prevents sediment from flowing downstream.
increases the amount of water available to farms.
prevents seasonal downstream flooding.
increases the rate of water loss from a lake.
Wind is becoming more common as a source of energy. Wind farms require large open spaces for the wind turbines. A negative consequence of this technology is wind turbines
are an inexpensive source of energy.
cause little pollution to the environment.
may hurt the flying animals in the area.
are a renewable source of energy.
Which resource when used causes the most pollution?
solar
coal
wind
water
Which form of energy production creates a radioactive waste product?
coal combustion
nuclear power
wind turbines
solar cells
Acid rain is the result of pollutants being released into the
air
soil
rivers
oceans
Which human activity contributes to the formation of acid rain?
using too much fertilizer in agriculture
cutting down large areas of tropical forests
burning fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline
using chemicals that destroy ozone in the stratosphere
Which best describes an environmental advantage of solar energy?
It is available at night.
t is a renewable resource.
It is only available when it rains.
It requires a backup energy source.
Which energy source is most likely to limit the migration of fish?
coal
hydroelectric
nuclear
solar
A family builds an environmentally-friendly home. They want to use an energy source that is the least dangerous to the environment. Which source of energy should they use to heat their home?
geothermal
natural gas
nuclear power
Which is a problem with using wind turbines to produce energy?
Wind turbines are efficient only in certain areas.
Wind turbines occupy a small area of land.
Wind turbines produce a large amount of energy.
Wind turbines create a large amount of pollution.
Which type of energy would most likely create the worst environmental disaster from an accident or spill?
solar energy
nuclear energy
geothermal energy
hydroelectric energy
Which is a potential hazard involved in transporting petroleum for energy production worldwide?
oil spills
air pollution
deforestation
radiation pollution
The burning of fossil fuels affects the atmosphere by
adding more heat and carbon dioxide.
reducing the amount of necessary heat.
taking water vapor out of the atmosphere.
putting more oxygen in the atmosphere.
How can we conserve energy?
use less coal, oil, and natural gas.
use fabric bags instead of plastic.
use public transportation instead of driving a car.
All of the above
The United States is the second largest emitter of Greenhouse Gases, this is due to our reliance on fossil fuels. In recent years however our Carbon Dioxide emissions have decreased. How does the graph explain this?
We are using less renewables in recent years
We are using less petroleum and coal in recent years
We are using more petroleum and coal in recent years
Identify the items on the graph that have a negative impact on Climate Change (make CC worse).
livestock
crops
grassland
forests
urban trees
