Chapter 17 Nonrenewable Energy

Transcription

1 Chapter 17 Nonrenewable Energy MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. What is the main reason why fewer nuclear power plants are being built today compared to 40 years ago? a. Nuclear fusion power plants are being built instead. b. Federal laws were passed prohibiting the development of new nuclear power plants. c. Nuclear power plants have become too expensive to generate electricity at a reasonable cost. d. Supplies of U235 are exhausted. C DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: 3 2. Which of the following accurately describes the use of fossil fuels for energy? a. At the present rate, we will run out of fossil fuels in about 250 years. b. Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. c. Fossil fuels account for 69 percent of the electricity generated in the United States. d. All of the above B DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 3. Electric generators work by a. converting oil into electricity. b. turning turbines in a dam. c. converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. d. rubbing copper against a substance that does not conduct electricity. C DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 2 4. Oil and natural gas result from a. the migration of complex carbohydrate molecules to nonporous rock formations. b. the decay of tiny marine organisms that accumulated on the ocean floor millions of years ago. c. the burning of high-sulfur, low-grade uranium. d. the decay of plants that lived in swamps hundreds of thousands of years ago. B DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 4 5. Inside the combustion chamber of a coal-fired power plant, a. steam is directed against turbine blades and causes the blades to turn. b. the turbine sets the generator in motion. c. electricity is generated. d. burning fossil fuels release energy in the form of heat. D DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 2 6. Most of the energy consumed in the United States is used for a. residential electrical needs. c. transportation. b. commercial electrical needs. d. industrial purposes. D DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 1

2 7. The energy needs for the United States in the 1990s a. rose dramatically. c. rose slightly. b. fell dramatically. d. fell slightly. C DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 8. A nuclear reactor is a. powered by a combustion chamber in which uranium is burned. b. surrounded by a thick pressure vessel that is filled with a cooling fluid. c. superheated by water until the control rods are set into motion. d. constructed from thick aluminum walls that can control the nuclear reactions. B DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: 2 9. New nuclei and neutrons result from a. nuclear fusion. b. the release of electrons from a positively charged atom. c. the splitting of an atom s nucleus. d. the splitting of an atom s neutron. C DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: Nuclear fusion a. must take place at extremely high temperatures. b. does not release a great amount of energy. c. must take place in low-density containers. d. results in nuclei that are lighter in weight than the nuclei that existed before the reaction. A DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: Storage sites for nuclear wastes a. can only be located only in mountain ranges. b. will always leak lethal amounts of radioactivity. c. should be located only in areas that are extremely geologically stable. d. should be able to undergo the process of transmutation. C DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: Solar energy, or energy from the sun, is contained in a. uranium. c. fossil fuels. b. radioactive waste. d. all nonrenewable resources. C DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: A fuel s suitability is dependent on all the following factors, except a. energy content. c. availability. b. cost. d. magnetism. D DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 2

3 14. How is electrical energy generated in a coal-fired power plant? a. The heat generated from burning coal turns water into steam, which turns a turbine, thus running the electric generator. b. The coal is burned, which heats the air. The hot air rises and turns the electric generator s turbine. c. The turbine breaks down the coal into a liquid fuel that powers the electric generator, thus producing an electric current. d. The coal is heated until it vaporizes. The coal vapor is distilled in the combustion chamber, which powers the electric generator. A DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: Which country uses the least amount of energy per person? a. Argentina c. United States b. Japan d. Canada A DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: Coal is formed when a. sediments cover dead marine organisms and heat converts them into complex, energy-rich carbon molecules. b. deposits of methane are subjected to high pressure until they condense into crystals. c. swamplands are buried by sediment. The added weight creates heat and pressure that converts the plants to coal. d. organic remains get trapped in nonporous rock and merge into large bodies of complex, energy-rich carbon molecules. C DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: Which of the following is an advantage of using fossil fuels for energy? a. the resulting air pollution c. limited quantities b. versatility in their uses d. toxic by-products B DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: Which of the following factors does not help predict future oil production? a. the number of oil refineries operating in the past b. changes in technology c. cost of obtaining fuels d. number of oil deposits discovered A DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: During the process of nuclear fission, a. a neutron splits a uranium-235 atom, forming new elements and releasing several neutrons, plus energy. b. a neutron splits a daughter nucleus, thus creating uranium-234. c. radioactivity causes the neutron of a uranium-235 atom to split in two. d. a lightweight atom combines with another lightweight atom to create a single, heavy atom. A DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: 1 3

4 20. In a nuclear power plant, a. three pipe circuits pump water through the reactor, turbine, and cooling tower. b. solid uranium pellets are bombarded with steam in the control rods. c. nuclear fusion superheats water in the reactor, causing steam to power the turbine. d. solid neutron pellets undergo a chain reaction and release massive amounts of heat. A DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: Which of the following is an advantage of nuclear energy? a. It does not produce solid waste. c. It poses no safety risks. b. It is cost-efficient. d. It does not produce air pollution. D DIF: 1 REF: 2 OBJ: Which of the following is not a main use of fuel? a. transportation c. heating and cooling buildings b. manufacturing d. cooking D DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: The energy in fossil fuels is often converted into a. electrical energy. c. uranium. b. magnetic fields. d. power plants. A DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: Much of the oil and natural gas in the United States is located in a. Alaska, Minnesota, New York, and Texas. b. Alaska, California, Michigan, and Nevada. c. Texas, Colorado, New York, and the Gulf of Mexico. d. Alaska, Texas, California, and the Gulf of Mexico. D DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: Oil production is still increasing, but it a. will start decreasing in the next year. b. is increasing much more dramatically than it did in the past. c. will start decreasing in the next five years. d. is increasing much more slowly than it did in the 1960s. D DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 COMPLETION 1. The suitability of a fuel for each application depends on,,,, and. energy content, cost, availability, safety, by-products DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 1 4

5 2. In order to power machines, the energy in fuels is often converted into energy, because is more convenient to use. electrical, electricity DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 2 3. Residents of the and enjoy some of the lowest gasoline taxes in the world. United States, Canada DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 4. Oil and natural gas result from the decay of that accumulated on the floor millions of years ago. tiny marine organisms, ocean DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 4 5. A major source of pollution when coal is burned is. sulfur DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 6. Oil is found in and around major geologic features, such as,, and, that tend to trap oil as it moves in Earth s crust. folds, faults, salt domes DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 4 7. Internal combustion in vehicles that burn pollute the air in many cities. These pollutants contribute to the formation of. engines, gasoline, smog DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 8. A distinction can be made between a(n), which is an oil deposit that has been discovered and is commercial, and that are yet to be discovered or made commercial. oil reserve, oil deposits DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 6 5

6 9. Few large have been discovered in the past decade, and geologists predict that oil from fields accessible from land will probably peak sometime after oil reserves, production DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: The forces that hold together the of an atom are more than times stronger than the chemical bonds between atoms. nucleus, 1 million DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: A nuclear reactor is surrounded by a thick that is filled with a(n). pressure vessel, cooling fluid DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: When operated properly, nuclear plants release less than coal-fired power plants do. radioactivity DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: For fusion to occur, atomic must be heated to extremely high temperatures and the must be maintained at and properly contained. nuclei, nuclei, very high concentrations DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: The fuel cycle of uranium produces fission products that can remain dangerously for. radioactive, thousands of years DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: In a nuclear reactor, when the are lowered between the fuel rods, they slow the. control rods, fission reactions DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: 2 6

7 16. Nuclear fission releases a tremendous amount of energy and more, which in turn collide with more. neutrons, uranium nuclei DIF: 2 REF: 2 OBJ: Deep ocean oil reserves may be tapped in the future, but unless improves, oil from the deep ocean will be much more than oil produced on land. oil-drilling technology, expensive DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: About percent of the world s nonrenewable energy comes from natural gas, or. 20, methane DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: Emissions regulations and technology such as have reduced air pollution from internal combustion engines in many areas. catalytic converters DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: If we could recover just 1 percent of the methane hydrate around the United States, we could more than our supply of, a clean-burning fuel that produces little pollution except for carbon dioxide. double, natural gas DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: When, low-grade coal is burned, it releases much more pollution than bituminous coal does. high-sulfur, low-sulfur DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 7

8 22. Coal forms from the that lived in hundreds of millions of years ago. remains of plants, swamps DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: The price of nearly every product or service that you use reflects the cost of. energy DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: The electrical energy that powers the lights in a house was generated at a(n) and then carried to the user through a(n). power plant, distribution grid DIF: 2 REF: 1 OBJ: 2 SHORT ANSWER 1. If fossil fuels come from the remains of dead organisms, why are they not considered renewable resources? It takes millions of years for fossil fuels to form. At the rate we are now using them, they will be used up much faster than they can be replaced. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 2. What caused the accident at Chernobyl? What have been the consequences of that accident? Engineers conducted an unauthorized test while safety devices were turned off. The reactor exploded, throwing tons of radioactive materials into the air. As a result of exposure to radiation, hundreds of people died and thousands may eventually get cancer. DIF: 3 REF: 2 OBJ: 3 8

9 3. Why do you think a nation s energy supply is important not only to the nation s economy, but also to its stability and international influence? Accept all reasonable answers. Sample answer: Energy is necessary for all of a nation s functions, from economic pursuits to military endeavors to construction projects. Without a stable, inexpensive supply of energy, the nation will not be able to function normally. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 6 4. Does large-scale production of electrical energy inevitably have environmental costs? Explain your answer. Accept any thoughtful answer. Sample answer: Currently, all large-scale production of electrical energy harms the environment in one form or another. For example, burning fossil fuels releases harmful air pollutants, and nuclear fission creates radioactive solid wastes. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 5. Do you think electrical energy should cost more money so that people will use less? Explain your answer. Accept any thoughtful answer. Sample answer: Yes, the price of electrical energy should be increased. People don t want to pay more money for electrical eneergy, so they will learn to conserve it. DIF: 3 REF: 2 OBJ: 3 6. Do you think nuclear energy will be the United States energy source of choice in the near future? Explain your answer. Accept any thoughtful answer. Sample answer: No, I don t think so. Nuclear energy today costs too much money per kilowatt of electricical energy produced to make it a viable source of electrical energy for the country. DIF: 3 REF: 2 OBJ: 3 7. Do you think Americans should start trying to use less energy to conserve the nonrenewable resources that are currently available to them? Explain your answer. Sample answer: Yes, Americans should start trying to use less energy. If people work to conserve energy, they will save money, protect the environment, and conserve the dwindling, nonrenewable resources available. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 6 9

10 8. Compare how energy is used worldwide with how it is used in the United States. The amount of energy used per person in the United States is much higher than in most other countries in the world. In fact, only Canada and the United Arab Emirates use more energy per person. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 9. What recommendations would you make to city officials in the United States to encourage energy conservation? Accept any reasonable answer. Sample answer: City officials should plan and implement efficient and inexpensive public transportation systems that rely on clean-burning fuels or electrical energy from a renewable source of energy. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: Coal can be considered to be a form of solar energy, or energy from the sun. Explain why this is the case. Coal is formed from the remains of plants. Plants get their energy through photosynthesis, a process that uses sunlight to form carbohydrates a form of stored energy. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: Can clean-burning coal technology dramatically reduce air pollution in the United States? Explain your answer. Yes. Fifty-seven percent of the electricity supply in the United States is produced by burning coal. If clean-burning coal technology is used, a significant amount of sulfur will not enter the atmosphere. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: How can you help conserve energy in your homes? Give examples. Accept all reasonable answers. Sample answer: By turning off lights when they are not needed, closing the refrigerator door fast, lowering the thermostat during the night. DIF: 1 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 10

11 PROBLEM 1. A grade of coal with a higher percentage of carbon, such as anthracite, contains more usable energy and releases less pollution than a grade with a lower percentage of carbon, such as lignite. What is the percentage of carbon in a 10 g coal sample if the mass of carbon is 6.5 g? 65 percent DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 2. In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled nearly 42 million liters of crude oil into the waters of Prince William Sound on the Alaskan coast. NASA recently performed tests on the oil absorbency of human hair. They discovered that a 1 kg bag of hair could absorb 1.25 L of oil in 1 minute. If NASA had 100,000 kg of hair, how long would it have taken to clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill? 5.6 hours DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 ESSAY 1. In general, nuclear energy is used more widely in countries that have meager energy supplies. Explain this connection and give examples. Accept all reasonable responses. Sample answer: Countries with other energy supplies would use those first before using nuclear power, which is very expensive. In addition, if countries with few energy resources relied too heavily on fossil fuels, they could become vulnerable to the demands of other nations. DIF: 3 REF: 2 OBJ: 3 2. Describe how fossil fuels are used to produce electrical energy. Sample answer: Fossil fuels are burned. This releases energy from breaking apart the chemical bonds binding fossil fuel molecules together. The energy released is in the form of heat energy, which is used to boil water. The steam is then directed against the blades of a turbine, causing it to spin. The turbine is connected to a generator. The motion of the generator s coils of wire through a magnetic field causes electrical energy to be generated. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 2 11

12 3. Compare and contrast a fossil-fuel-burning power plant and a nuclear power plant. You may want to use diagrams to illustrate your answer. Students should note that these power plants are similar in that they both use some sort of reaction to heat water, converting it into steam to drive a turbine, which in turn sets an electric generator in motion. Students should note that the difference is mainly in the type of reaction that is occurring. In fossil-fuel-burning power plants, a chemical reaction occurs. In a nuclear power plant, a nuclear reaction occurs. Use the diagrams of a coal-burning power plant and the nuclear power plant from the student edition to grade the students illustrations. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 5 4. After 1950, there was a dramatic increase in the worldwide production of oil. Why do you think this is the case and what were the consequences of this increased production? Accept all reasonable answers. Sample answer: The dramatic increase after 1950 was in response to an increased demand for oil. The demand resulted from the rapid industrialization of countries around the world, from the increase in the number of automobiles, and from the rapidly increasing human population. This dramatic increase in oil production and use led to an increase in air pollution, resulting in smog, acid precipitation, and global warming. DIF: 3 REF: 1 OBJ: 3 12