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Environmental Science: A Global Concern, 7/e

William P. Cunningham, University of Minnesota
Mary Ann Cunningham, Vassar College
Barbara Woodworth Saigo, St. Cloud State University

Sustainable Energy

Practice Quizzing


1	Wind power projects in Minnesota’s Buffalo Ridge reveal costs to be
		A)	more expensive than coal-fired power plants.
		B)	less expensive than coal-fired plants.
		C)	marginally more than nuclear plants.
		D)	marginally less than nuclear plants.


2	Average auto gas mileage in the U.S. has ______ in the last 12 years.
		A)	increased slightly
		B)	increased greatly
		C)	dropped significantly
		D)	remained essentially the same


3	Improved insulation, energy efficient windows and curtains, and calking and sealing cracks could reduce household energy loss by up to _____ percent.
		A)	10
		B)	20
		C)	30
		D)	over 50


4	Options for living a more energy-efficient life style include
		A)	stopping hot water leaks.
		B)	recycling.
		C)	turning down thermostats in winter and up in summer.
		D)	all of the above.


5	New hybrid gas-electric cars appeal to financially stressed and environmentally conscious consumers because
		A)	initial auto purchase price is lower than conventional cars.
		B)	production of greenhouse gases is greatly reduced compared to conventional cars.
		C)	gas costs are up to two thirds less than for conventional cars.
		D)	of more than one of the above.


6	Substantial energy and costs can be saved by choosing the most energy efficient models of _____ instead of comparable models of average energy efficiency.
		A)	autos
		B)	air conditioners
		C)	refrigerators
		D)	all of the above


7	Photovoltaic systems are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT
		A)	they convert sunlight into electricity.
		B)	they are difficult to maintain.
		C)	they produce no pollution.
		D)	they have no moving parts.


8	Characteristics of fuel cells include all of these EXCEPT
		A)	high efficiency.
		B)	low emissions.
		C)	small size.
		D)	low reliability.


9	The reformer in a fuel cell system
		A)	provides oxygen for the energy-releasing chemical reactions.
		B)	extracts hydrogen atoms from a variety of chemical substrates.
		C)	stores energy much like a battery.
		D)	does all of the above.


10	The chemical byproducts of fuel cells include
		A)	only one toxic substance.
		B)	water and heat.
		C)	sulfur dioxide.
		D)	all of the above.


11	Methane is
		A)	an excellent fuel.
		B)	produced by anaerobic digestion of wet organic matter.
		C)	a fuel that can be derived from animal dung to provide an alternative energy source to burning the dung directly.
		D)	all of the above.


12	Ethanol mixed with gasoline burned in cars does all of the following EXCEPT
		A)	reduces carbon monoxide emissions.
		B)	raises octane ratings.
		C)	is an effective anti-knock agent in car engines.
		D)	increases sulfur dioxide emissions.


13	Problems associated with large hydropower dams and reservoirs often include
		A)	massive dislocation of humans.
		B)	ecosystem destruction.
		C)	loss of wildlife.
		D)	all of the above.


14	Micro-hydro generators suitable for providing power to single homes are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT
		A)	they are notably more expensive than solar or wind power.
		B)	they can damage aquatic habitats.
		C)	they can mar the aesthetic beauty of small streams.
		D)	they can negatively affect fish populations.


15	Wind power
		A)	is essentially nonpolluting.
		B)	creates minimal environmental disruption.
		C)	requires expensive-to-build storage capacity.
		D)	is all of the above.


16	An alternative energy future that would be both sustainable and accomplish a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide production includes all of the following EXCEPT a significant
		A)	reduction in total energy consumption.
		B)	increase in the use of biomass energy.
		C)	increase in use of nuclear power.
		D)	increase in the use of natural gas.


17	The negawatt concept is that
		A)	consumer opposition to energy-inefficient products can force companies to improve product design.
		B)	additional energy can be in essence obtained by increasing efficiencies thereby reducing demand for additional generating capacity.
		C)	electrical energy can be most efficiently by following the first law of thermodynamics.
		D)	electrical energy can be most efficiently obtained by operating outside the laws of thermodynamics.


18	A kilowatt hour obtained as a negawatt costs _____ a kilowatt obtained through new generating capacity.
		A)	about the same as
		B)	slightly more than
		C)	slightly less than
		D)	much less than


19	Cogeneration refers to
		A)	production of both electricity and usable steam or hot water by the same facility.
		B)	cooperative efforts between power producers and consumers aimed at sharing profits from energy sales.
		C)	sale of electrical power by consumers back to the electrical grid.
		D)	the production of electricity using several different fuel sources at a single facility.


20	A significant problem with electrical energy is that it is ______ than energy obtained from other sources.
		A)	less efficient
		B)	more polluting
		C)	more expensive
		D)	harder to store


21	Raising fuel efficiency by one mile per gallon would cut oil usage equivalent to the amount of oil being sought in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
		A)	True
		B)	False


22	Biomass energy is actually solar energy that has been converted to chemical bond energy by photosynthesis.
		A)	True
		B)	False


23	The most serious drawback to fuel cells is the expense of providing an oxygen source.
		A)	True
		B)	False


24	Wood burning stoves are an environmentally safer alternative than other energy sources for home heating.
		A)	True
		B)	False


25	Wood burning is the main energy source for a substantial proportion of the world's population.
		A)	True
		B)	False


26	Production and use of methane is an underutilized energy source.
		A)	True
		B)	False


27	In favorable locations wind power is cheaper than other new energy sources.
		A)	True
		B)	False


28	The major drawback of wind power is the large land area that would be required.
		A)	True
		B)	False


29	Biomass is a relatively recently discovered energy source.
		A)	True
		B)	False

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