Question 1

A form of kinetic energy that can be harnessed with turbines

Accepted Answer

A) geomagnetic 
B) geothermal 
C) solar 
D) nuclear 
E) wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells 
A) geomagnetic 
B) geothermal 
C) solar 
D) nuclear 
E) wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells E

Question 2

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
-Traditional uses of wind energy included ___________

Accepted Answer

A) pumping water and grinding grain 
B) heating and cooling for houses 
C) cooling for houses 
D) removing water from land so it could be farmed 
E) generation of electricity 
A) pumping water and grinding grain 
B) heating and cooling for houses 
C) cooling for houses 
D) removing water from land so it could be farmed 
E) generation of electricity A

Question 3

Compare and contrast passive solar collection and active solar collection.

Accepted Answer

Passive solar energy collection features buildings that are designed, and building materials that are chosen, to maximize direct absorption of sunlight in winter, even as they keep the interior cool in the heat of summer. One passive solar design technique involves installing low, south-facing windows to maximize sunlight capture in the winter (in the Northern Hemisphere, or north-facing windows in the Southern Hemisphere). Overhangs or judicious tree plantings that block light from above can shade these windows in the summer when the sun is high in the sky and when cooling, not heating, is desired.
Passive solar techniques also include the use of heat-absorbing construction materials. Often called thermal mass, these materials absorb heat, store it, and release it later. Thermal mass (of straw, brick, concrete, or other materials)most often makes up floors, roofs, and walls, but also can comprise portable blocks. Any of these may be strategically located so that in cold weather the mass receives a great amount of sunlight and can radiate heat in the interior of the building. In warm weather, the mass should be located away from sunlight so that it absorbs warmed air in the interior to cool it. Passive solar design can also involve using vegetation planted in particular locations around a building. By heating buildings in cold weather and cooling them in warm weather, passive solar methods help conserve energy and reduce energy costs.
This approach contrasts with active solar energy collection, which requires some outside energy input and makes use of technological devices to focus, move, or store solar energy. One active method for harnessing solar energy involves using solar panels or flat-plate solar collectors, which are most often installed on rooftops. These panels generally consist of dark-colored, heat-absorbing metal plates mounted in large, flat boxes covered with glass panes. Water, air, or antifreeze solutions are run through tubes that pass through the collectors, transferring heat throughout a building. Heated water can be pumped to tanks designed to store the heat for later use and through pipes designed to release the heat into the building. Such systems have proven especially effective for heating water for residences.

Question 4

Photovoltaic (PV)technology is best described as ___________

Accepted Answer

A) using mirrors to concentrate sunlight, in order to heat water and produce steam for electricity generation 
B) trapping sun's heat and storing it for various uses 
C) using sun's energy to warm a room without mechanical devices 
D) using sunlight to generate electricity 
E) passive solar technology 
A) using mirrors to concentrate sunlight, in order to heat water and produce steam for electricity generation 
B) trapping sun's heat and storing it for various uses 
C) using sun's energy to warm a room without mechanical devices 
D) using sunlight to generate electricity 
E) passive solar technology

Question 5

Which of the following methods is considered a type of passive solar energy collection?

Accepted Answer

A) OTEC 
B) rooftop flat-plate solar collectors 
C) rooftop solar panels 
D) photovoltaic cells 
E) using heat-absorbing construction materials 
A) OTEC 
B) rooftop flat-plate solar collectors 
C) rooftop solar panels 
D) photovoltaic cells 
E) using heat-absorbing construction materials

Question 6

One major advantage of using hydrogen fuel cells is ___________

Accepted Answer

A) that the cells are nonpolluting 
B) methane is produced as a byproduct 
C) the potential for production of greenhouse gases 
D) the low impact on atmospheric ozone 
E) the energy efficiency 
A) that the cells are nonpolluting 
B) methane is produced as a byproduct 
C) the potential for production of greenhouse gases 
D) the low impact on atmospheric ozone 
E) the energy efficiency

Question 7

Whether a hydrogen-based energy system is environmentally cleaner than a fossil fuel system depends on ___________

Accepted Answer

A) the source of energy used to produce the hydrogen 
B) the amount of fossil fuels that are invested in long- term storage 
C) governmental incentives for research 
D) the source of oxygen used for the process 
E) the car driven 
A) the source of energy used to produce the hydrogen 
B) the amount of fossil fuels that are invested in long- term storage 
C) governmental incentives for research 
D) the source of oxygen used for the process 
E) the car driven

Question 8

One benefit of offshore wind farms is that ___________

Accepted Answer

A) wind speeds are higher and turbulence is lower over water than over land 
B) development of land for human use is pushing wind farms to open water 
C) unlike land- based wind farms, they do not interfere with bird migration routes 
D) they are more aesthetically pleasing than wind farms on land 
E) maintenance costs are less than they are on land 
A) wind speeds are higher and turbulence is lower over water than over land 
B) development of land for human use is pushing wind farms to open water 
C) unlike land- based wind farms, they do not interfere with bird migration routes 
D) they are more aesthetically pleasing than wind farms on land 
E) maintenance costs are less than they are on land

Question 9

Which one of the following is a type of "new renewable" energy?

Accepted Answer

A) "biogas" methane 
B) biodiesel 
C) sustainably harvested fuelwood 
D) wind power 
E) ethanol 
A) "biogas" methane 
B) biodiesel 
C) sustainably harvested fuelwood 
D) wind power 
E) ethanol

Question 10

Wind turbines are generally more productive if they are ___________

Accepted Answer

A) higher, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed 
B) higher, to increase heat convection from the ground 
C) higher, to minimize the number of birds that interfere with blade turning 
D) lower, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed 
E) lower, to increase heat convection from the ground 
A) higher, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed 
B) higher, to increase heat convection from the ground 
C) higher, to minimize the number of birds that interfere with blade turning 
D) lower, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed 
E) lower, to increase heat convection from the ground

Question 11

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
-Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A kilowatt-hour is one kilowatt (1,000 watts)of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. A 10 -kW wind turbine can generate about 10,000 kWh annually at a site with wind speeds averaging 12 miles per hour, or about enough to power a typical household. In just such a site, the 250-kW turbine installed at the elementary school in Spirit Lake, Iowa, provides an average of over ___________ annually.

Accepted Answer

A) 25,000 kW 
B) 250 mW 
C) 250,000 kW 
D) 2,500 kW 
E) 250 kW 
A) 25,000 kW 
B) 250 mW 
C) 250,000 kW 
D) 2,500 kW 
E) 250 kW

Question 12

The primary motivation to develop the new renewable energy sources comes from ___________

Accepted Answer

A) concerns that oxygen production by trees is endangered by fossil fuel use 
B) those who believe conservation is important 
C) those who believe fossil fuel dependence is suicide because it makes us vulnerable to the Middle East 
D) those who believe human health is impacted by smog and pollution 
E) concerns over diminishing fossil fuel supplies and negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel use 
A) concerns that oxygen production by trees is endangered by fossil fuel use 
B) those who believe conservation is important 
C) those who believe fossil fuel dependence is suicide because it makes us vulnerable to the Middle East 
D) those who believe human health is impacted by smog and pollution 
E) concerns over diminishing fossil fuel supplies and negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel use

Question 13

A form of energy that may not be completely renewable and can produce air pollution

Accepted Answer

A) geomagnetic 
B) geothermal 
C) solar 
D) nuclear 
E) wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells 
A) geomagnetic 
B) geothermal 
C) solar 
D) nuclear 
E) wind
F)uranium
G)hydrogen
H)photovoltaic cells
I)natural gas
J)quadrathermal cells

Question 14

Read the following scenario and answer the questions below.
The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Park-the first commercial wind energy project in the mid
-Atlantic region-which went online December 31, 1999. The two 65-kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatt-hours of wind energy each year, replacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxide-the primary source of global climate change. Wind energy from these first two turbines also avoids the annual production of 800 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 1,900 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The local community in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, had mixed reactions to the news that a new wind farm was being installed in 2005. Some were excited about the possibility of lower energy bills, some were concerned about the effects on the environment, and others wondered if there was enough local wind to make such an investment worthwhile. An average wind speed of 9 to 13 miles per hour is sufficient for most sizes of wind turbines. The power available in the wind is proportional to the cube of its speed, which means that doubling the wind speed increases the available power by a factor of eight.
-The entire output of Humboldt Industrial Park was quickly sold to subscribers, and further wind energy parks were soon built in Mill Run, Somerset, and other places. Most of the distribution has gone to businesses, universities, and state agencies. This means that ___________

Accepted Answer

A) renewable energy sources are not yet efficient enough to be used by homeowners 
B) the costs associated with renewable energy sources can only be borne by large groups 
C) consumers still do not trust alternative energy sources 
D) many groups have recognized the economic benefits of alternative energy sources 
E) very few large institutions are concerned about the pollution and environmental degradation associated with using wind to generate electricity 
A) renewable energy sources are not yet efficient enough to be used by homeowners 
B) the costs associated with renewable energy sources can only be borne by large groups 
C) consumers still do not trust alternative energy sources 
D) many groups have recognized the economic benefits of alternative energy sources 
E) very few large institutions are concerned about the pollution and environmental degradation associated with using wind to generate electricity

Question 15

Every winter morning when the sun is shining bright, a man living in Montana pulls back the drapes on a large, south- facing window. In this way, he helps heat his home using ___________

Accepted Answer

A) active solar heating 
B) passive solar heating 
C) radioactive solar heating 
D) photovoltaic heating 
E) conductive solar heating 
A) active solar heating 
B) passive solar heating 
C) radioactive solar heating 
D) photovoltaic heating 
E) conductive solar heating

Question 16

Describe some of the possible ocean energy sources.

Accepted Answer

There are three approaches developed so

Question 17

A major disadvantage of solar power is ___________

Accepted Answer

A) its cost-effectiveness compared to other types of power 
B) that solar systems decentralize control over electrical energy 
C) the uneven distribution of sunshine around the world 
D) its efficiency level compared to other types of power 
E) that there is a lack of knowledge on long-term economic impacts 
A) its cost-effectiveness compared to other types of power 
B) that solar systems decentralize control over electrical energy 
C) the uneven distribution of sunshine around the world 
D) its efficiency level compared to other types of power 
E) that there is a lack of knowledge on long-term economic impacts

Question 18

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions.
  
-A major advantage of solar power is that ___________

Accepted Answer

A) there is a lack of knowledge on long-term impacts 
B) cost is prohibitive even in developed countries 
C) pollution is high 
D) not all regions are sunny enough to provide adequate power with current technology 
E) solar systems provide local, decentralized control over power 
A) there is a lack of knowledge on long-term impacts 
B) cost is prohibitive even in developed countries 
C) pollution is high 
D) not all regions are sunny enough to provide adequate power with current technology 
E) solar systems provide local, decentralized control over power

Question 19

The current practice of geothermal power generation may not always provide a practical renewable energy source because ___________

Accepted Answer

A) in some instances, pollution emissions can be very high 
B) in some cases, the heated groundwater is used much faster than it is recharged 
C) geologically heated groundwater is unsuitable for these plants and must be purified first 
D) in many cases, the magma is used faster than it is recharged 
E) power plants have high maintenance costs 
A) in some instances, pollution emissions can be very high 
B) in some cases, the heated groundwater is used much faster than it is recharged 
C) geologically heated groundwater is unsuitable for these plants and must be purified first 
D) in many cases, the magma is used faster than it is recharged 
E) power plants have high maintenance costs

Question 20

The largest problem with adopting the new technology of renewable resources is ___________

Accepted Answer

A) in evaluating the scientific and economic impacts 
B) that energy production facilities are not located near consumers 
C) that the startup costs may be high 
D) that technological advances have not been made in the last 30 years to meet our energy needs 
E) that long-term maintenance costs are much higher than those for fossil fuels 
A) in evaluating the scientific and economic impacts 
B) that energy production facilities are not located near consumers 
C) that the startup costs may be high 
D) that technological advances have not been made in the last 30 years to meet our energy needs 
E) that long-term maintenance costs are much higher than those for fossil fuels

Exam 21: New Renewable Energy Alternatives

A form of kinetic energy that can be harnessed with turbines

Compare and contrast passive solar collection and active solar collection.

Photovoltaic (PV)technology is best described as ___________

Which of the following methods is considered a type of passive solar energy collection?

One major advantage of using hydrogen fuel cells is ___________

Whether a hydrogen-based energy system is environmentally cleaner than a fossil fuel system depends on ___________

One benefit of offshore wind farms is that ___________

Which one of the following is a type of "new renewable" energy?

Wind turbines are generally more productive if they are ___________

The primary motivation to develop the new renewable energy sources comes from ___________

A form of energy that may not be completely renewable and can produce air pollution

Every winter morning when the sun is shining bright, a man living in Montana pulls back the drapes on a large, south- facing window. In this way, he helps heat his home using ___________

Describe some of the possible ocean energy sources.

A major disadvantage of solar power is ___________

Use the accompanying figure to answer the following questions. -A major advantage of solar power is that ___________

The current practice of geothermal power generation may not always provide a practical renewable energy source because ___________

The largest problem with adopting the new technology of renewable resources is ___________

Science and Sustainability: an Introduction to Environmental Science

Earths Physical Systems: Matter, Energy, and Geology

Evolution, Biodiversity, and Population Ecology

Species Interactions and Community Ecology

Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Ecology

Ethics, Economics, and Sustainable Development

Environmental Policy: Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Human Population

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Agriculture, Biotechnology, and the Future of Food

Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Forests, Forest Management, and Protected Areas

The Urban Environment: Creating Sustainable Cities

Environmental Health and Toxicology

Freshwater Systems and Resources

Marine and Coastal Systems and Resources

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Fossil Fuels, Their Impacts, and Energy Conservation

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