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36 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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"New renewables" are ________
A.fusion, fission B. solar, wind, geothermal C. hydro, biomass D. wind, wood, alcohol E. coal, natural gas |
B. solar, wind, geothermal
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Currently, the fastest growing source of electricity generation using new renewable sources is ________.
A. hydro B. natural gas C. wind D. passive solar E. coal |
C. wind
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Currently, the second fastest-growing source of electricity generation using new renewable sources is ________.
A. natural gas B. wind C. hydro D. solar E. coal |
D. solar
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The primary motivation to develop the new renewable energy sources comes from ________.
A. those who believe human health is impacted by smog and pollution B.concerns over diminishing fossil fuel supplies and negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel use C. those who believe conservation is important D. concerns that oxygen production by trees is endangered by fossil fuel use E. those who believe fossil fuel dependence is suicide because it makes us vulnerable to the Middle East |
B.concerns over diminishing fossil fuel supplies and negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel use
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One of the economic obstacles to the rapid replacement of nonrenewable energy sources with renewable energy sources in the US is ________.
A. the improvement in the infrastructure for using renewable energy sources B. the lack of government and private financial support for the development of renewable energy sources C. the motivation of private industry to proactively develop renewable energy sources D. a unified energy policy by the government that supports the development of alternative energy sources E. advancements in technological development of renewable energy sources |
B. the lack of government and private financial support for the development of renewable energy sources
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The largest problem with adopting the new technology of renewable resources is ________.
A. that energy production facilities are not located near consumers B. that longterm maintenance costs are much higher than those for fossil fuels C. in evaluating the scientific and economic impacts D. that the startup costs may be high E. that technological advances have not been made in the last 30 years to meet our energy needs |
D. that the startup costs may be high
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Although solar-PV-generated electricity as a power source is cleaner than burning fossil fuels, the problem with this electricity is that it ________.
A. will be replaced shortly with other sources of power for homes B.is less efficient than fossil fuels C. is not sufficiently understood D. cannot be stored easily in large quantities for use when and where it is needed E.is dangerous if stored too long |
D. cannot be stored easily in large quantities for use when and where it is needed
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The nation currently with the most progressive renewable energy policies and also producing the greatest amount of solar power is ________.
A. Brazil B. the U.S. C. Saudi Arabia D. Germany E. Spain |
D. Germany
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Traditional uses of wind energy included ________.
A. pumping water and grinding grain B. heating and cooling for houses C. removing water from land so it could be farmed D. generation of electricity E. cooling for houses |
A. pumping water and grinding grain
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Which of the following methods can be called passive solar energy collection?
A. photovoltaic cells B. rooftop flatplate solar collectors C. rooftop solar panels D. OTEC E. using heatabsorbing construction materials |
E. using heatabsorbing construction materials
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Solar represents a minuscule portion of U.S. energy production because of ________.
A. lack of investment B. lack of scientific interest C. air and water pollution from this source of energy D. poor potential for this energy source E. technological limitations |
A. lack of investment
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A major advantage of solar power is that ________.
A. not all regions are sunny enough to provide adequate power with current technology B. cost is prohibitive even in developed countries C. there is a lack of knowledge on longterm impacts D. solar systems provide local, decentralized control over power E. pollution is high |
D. solar systems provide local, decentralized control over power
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A major disadvantage of solar power is ________.
A. the variation in sunshine around the world B. that solar systems decentralize control over electrical energy C. its efficiency level compared to other types of power D. that there is a lack of knowledge on longterm economic impacts E. its costeffectiveness compared to other types of power |
A. the variation in sunshine around the world
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A. The renewable energy source being developed in Iceland
B. An inexhaustible, nonpolluting, decentralized energy source C. A form of kinetic energy that can be harnessed with turbines D. A form of energy that may not be completely renewable and can produce air pollution E. A method of converting sunlight to electrical energy Solar, Uranium, Geomagnetic, Wind, Quadrathermal cells, Photovoltaic cells, Geothermal , Natural gas, Hydrogen, Pv solar |
A. geothermal
B. solar C. Wind D. Hydrogen E. Photovoltaic cells |
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Windmill towers are generally more productive if they are ________.
A. lower, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed B. higher, to minimize the number of birds that interfere with blade turning C. higher, to increase heat convection from the ground D. lower, to increase heat convection from the ground E. higher, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed |
E. higher, to minimize turbulence and maximize wind speed
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A possible economic concern about using wind to produce electricity is ________.
A. the emission control devices required once turbines are in place B. its low energy efficiency compared to conventional power sources C. only large-scale wind farms are profitable D. the initial startup cost E. that land must be leased for wind power development |
D. the initial startup cost
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A major obstacle to the establishment of wind farms near populated and scenic areas is ________.
A. the lack of infrastructure to support windgenerated electricity B. the lack of government support for the construction of wind farms C. not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) syndrome D. the lack of financial support for the construction of wind farms E. the lack of large land areas needed to construct wind farms |
C. not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) syndrome
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Offshore wind farms are being seriously considered because ________.
A. wind speeds are higher and turbulence is lower B. maintenance costs are less than they are on land C. development of land for human use is pushing wind farms to open water D. they are more aesthetically pleasing E. they do not interfere with bird migration routes |
A. wind speeds are higher and turbulence is lower
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Wind will not be a major U.S. energy resource in ________.
A. California B. Texas C. the NW D. the SE E. the NE |
D. the SE
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if the wind speed averages 11 mph on Ashley Hill and 12 mph on Genevie Hill, then a turbine operating on Genevie Hill could, in theory, generate about ________ % more electricity than a turbine on Ashley Hill.
A. 1 B. 10 C. 25 D. 33 E. 50 |
D. 33
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The oldest wind farm in Pennsylvania is Humboldt Industrial Parkthe first commercial wind energy project in the mid-Atlantic regionwhich went online December 31, 1999. The two 65kilowatt wind turbines were predicted to generate 200,000 kilowatthours of wind energy each year, displacing conventional electric generation that would otherwise produce 140 tons of carbon dioxidethe 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, which are the major ingredients ________.
A.causing eutrophication B. in fertilizers C. damaging the ozone layer D. in acid rain and groundlevel ozone or smog E. in water pollution |
D. in acid rain and groundlevel ozone or smog
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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 ________.
A.The costs associated with renewable energy sources can only be borne by large groups B. renewable energy sources are not yet efficient enough to be used by homeowners 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 |
D. many groups have recognized the economic benefits of alternative energy sources
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Environmentalists have been concerned about the effects of the wind turbines on local and migratory birds. The wind farm at Altamont Pass, California, is situated in an area of high raptor use, and some birds have died there from collisions with the turning rotors. Detailed studies show that in most areas, such deaths will be less than 1% of humancaused deaths due to factors such as tall buildings and glass doors and windows. Therefore, it is probably true that ________.
A.the most serious hazard from wind turbines will be problems with airplanes B. smallbird mortality will increase far more than largebird mortality near wind farms C. wind farms will be hazardous to domestic pigeons D. wind turbines will be safer for wildlife than coalpowered electricalgenerating plants E. wind turbines are a serious wildlife hazard |
D. wind turbines will be safer for wildlife than coalpowered electricalgenerating plants
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Electricity production and consumption are most commonly measured in kilowatthours (kWh). A kilowatthour is one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electricity produced or consumed for one hour. A 10kW 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 250kW turbine installed at the elementary school in Spirit Lake, Iowa, provides an average of over ________.
A.250 kW annually B. 250 mW annually C. 2,500 kW annually D. 25,000 kW annually E. 250,000 kW annually |
E. 250,000 kW annually
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Using wind as a power source to do work ________.
A.was begun over 40,000 years ago in Australia B. is a process that has been worked on for over 50 years C. is something that has been developed only in the past 10 years D. has been discovered in Asian ruins over 5,000 years old E. has been possible since medieval times |
E. has been possible since medieval times
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The current practice of geothermal power generation may not provide a practical renewable energy source because ________.
A. in many cases, the magma is used faster than it is recharged B. in many 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. power plants have high maintenance costs E. in some instances, pollution emissions can be very high |
B. in many cases, the heated groundwater is used much faster than it is recharged
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U.S. geothermal energy is most available in ________.
A. the West B. the NE C. the Florida Keys D. Texas E. the SE |
A. the West
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A potential energy sources from oceans is ________.
A. solar reflection B. motion of currents, waves and tides; ocean thermal energy C. lightning strikes in salt water D. magnetic field generators E. chemoluminescent bacteria |
B. motion of currents, waves and tides; ocean thermal energy
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One major reason for the lack of development in oceanic energy sources is ________.
A. that oceanic processes are not completely understood B. the potential substantial negative impact on marine and estuarine ecosystems C. the lack of political support D. the lack of technological advancement E. the lack of funding |
B. the potential substantial negative impact on marine and estuarine ecosystems
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Hydrogen fuel cell technology has been used in the United States since the 1960s because ________.
A. it was used widely in NASA's spaceflight programs B. many homes were built in desert regions using the technology to collect and heat water C. the U.S. government wanted it for use in military operations D. it was originally slated for use in cars by Ford E. the visionaries of the fossil fuel companies saw the need to develop this technology |
A. it was used widely in NASA's spaceflight programs
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One difficulty with the process of using hydrogen as a power source is that it ________.
A. requires a substantial energy investment to begin the process B. has highly volatile and explosive components C. is less efficient than fossil fuels D. requires a fuel that is a nonrenewable resource E. is toxic to humans and wildlife |
A. requires a substantial energy investment to begin the process
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Whether a hydrogenbased energy system is environmentally cleaner than a fossil fuel system depends on ________.
A. the source of oxygen used for the process B. how the hydrogen is produced C. governmental incentives for research D. the car driven E. the amount of fossil fuels that are invested in long-term storage |
B. how the hydrogen is produced
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One advantage of using hydrogen fuel cells is ________.
A. the potential for production of greenhouse gases B. that they are nonpolluting C. the low impact on atmospheric ozone D. the energy efficiency E. methane is produced as a byproduct |
B. that they are nonpolluting
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The chemical product of burning hydrogen or using fuel cells as an energy source is ________.
A. water molecules B. carbon monoxide C. glucose and oxygen D. non-toxic ash E. acids |
A. water molecules
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Mary Ann is looking at alternate energy sources for her home in the country, particularly wind and solar. She needs to consider ________.
A. the amount of yearround sunshine where she lives, wind speeds, startup costs B. the mean temperature where she lives C. impact of air pollution on the community D. the elevation above sea level E. the amount of yearround rain where she lives |
A. the amount of yearround sunshine where she lives, wind speeds, startup costs
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A major advantage that hydrogengenerated electricity has over other new renewable energy sources is that it ________.
A. already has an infrastructure in place for using hydrogen as fuel B. is less expensive C. can be produced where and when electricity is needed D. converts the kinetic energy of earth processes to electrical energy E. creates greenhouse gases but no acid deposition |
C. can be produced where and when electricity is needed
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