Renewable energy sources meet about _____ percent of the total energy needs in the United States?
a. 8
b. 21
c. 25
d. 83 |
| Answer: a |
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What has been the fastest-growing source of new electric power generation for several years?
a. hydropower
b. geothermal power
c. solar power
d. wind power |
| Answer: d |
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Which two states have the highest solar potential?
a. Arizona and New Mexico
b. California and Washington
c. Florida and Montana
d. New York and Ohio |
| Answer: a |
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What involves the heating of biomass at high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment; it is one of the most efficient and least polluting of the conversion technologies?
a. fermentation
b. gasification
c. methanogenesis
d. transesterification |
| Answer: b |
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Which is an advantage of hydropower?
a. Dams are inexpensive and self-maintaining.
b. Dams last virtually forever.
c. Hydropower can be produced anywhere.
d. Hydropower is clean and nonpolluting. |
| Answer: d |
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Which type of energy is the force that turns turbines?
a)electromagnetic
b)kinetic
c)potential
d)thermal
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| Answer: b |
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What has the greatest impact on the amount of energy produced by hydroelectric power plants?
a)the pull of the moon and the earth’s rotation pull that cause tides
b)the size and number of blades arrayed around a wheel or cylinder
c)the velocity of the water source as it passes through the generator
d)the volume and speed of the water that passes through penstocks
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| Answer: d |
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Why do modern wind designs have only two or three blades?
a)Blades are the most costly component and fewer blades keep costs down.
b)Designs with two or three blades are much more aesthetically pleasing.
c)Fewer blades allows designers to place units much closer together.
d)It is so one blade does not run into the turbulence created by another blade.
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| Answer: d |
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Which form of renewable energy involves a semiconductor material causing electrons to separate from atoms; then the electrons are captured through an electrical circuit and provide usable electricity?
a)biopower
b)geothermal power
c)solar power
d)wind power
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| Answer: c |
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Why is geothermal power considered to be renewable?
a)Geothermal power effectively recycles heat.
b)Geothermal power is clean and pollution-free.
c)Heat from the earth will last for millions of years.
d)Heat from the sun constantly warms the planet.
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| Answer: c |
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Modern landfills produce a large amount of gases that can be collected and burned to produce electricity. This production of gases is an example of _____.
a)fermentation
b)gasification
c)methanogenesis
d)transesterification
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| Answer: c |
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What is a disadvantage associated with wind power?
a)It has harmful environmental consequences related to the emission of greenhouse gases.
b)Power grid infrastructure must be developed to move electricity from wind generators to areas of high usage.
c)Turbines must be located on mountains or elevated areas to benefit from atmospheric winds.
d)Wind energy is one of the most expensive forms of energy due to the structures that must be built.
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| Answer: b |
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Which form of renewable energy is most widespread and practical for use in providing power for single family houses?
a)hydropower
b)geothermal power
c)solar power
d)wind power
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| Answer: c |
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What is a disadvantage of biopower?
a)Biopower requires large plots of land.
b)It can contribute to global warming.
c)It is not practical on an industrial scale.
d)Where it can be used is very limited.
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| Answer: b |
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Completed in 2012, the Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze River in China. This hydroelectric dam was extremely expensive to build, destroyed ecosystems, and displaced 1.3 million people. What is an advantage?
a)It is a clean and nonpolluting source of energy.
b)It won’t require any costs for maintenance.
c)Natural fluctuations of river levels are altered.
d)Wave action and tides are very predictable.
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| Answer: a |
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