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AP Environmental Science Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

12 questions

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Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

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Question 1

The CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards regulate which aspect of energy use in the United States?

A.Energy efficiency of home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines)B.Fuel efficiency (miles per gallon) of new cars and light trucksC.Carbon intensity of electricity generation from power plantsD.Efficiency of industrial manufacturing processes

Question 2

A major environmental concern specific to nuclear power plants is:

A.High CO₂ emissions from uranium combustionB.Long-lived radioactive waste that requires safe storage for thousands of yearsC.Water consumption that far exceeds any other power sourceD.Particulate air pollution from nuclear fuel processing

Question 3

Which of the following is a characteristic shared by ALL fossil fuels?

A.They are renewable resources that can be replenished within decades.B.They are formed from ancient organic matter and release CO₂ when burned.C.They are only found in marine sedimentary rock.D.They produce no air pollution when burned in modern power plants.

Question 4

Natural gas emits approximately half the CO₂ of coal per unit of energy produced. However, natural gas has a significant climate disadvantage compared to coal because:

A.Burning natural gas releases sulfur dioxide, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than CO₂.B.Methane (the primary component of natural gas) that leaks before combustion is a potent short-term greenhouse gas.C.Natural gas infrastructure is more expensive, meaning more forests are cleared to fund it.D.Natural gas combustion produces nitrogen oxide, which breaks down the ozone layer.

Question 5

Which renewable energy source provides the MOST electricity globally and domestically in the United States as of recent years?

A.Solar photovoltaicB.Wind powerC.Hydroelectric powerD.Biomass (wood and waste combustion)

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Question 6

Biomass energy (e.g., burning wood, crop residues, or biofuels) is sometimes considered 'carbon neutral.' This claim assumes that:

A.Burning biomass releases no CO₂ because the carbon is in organic form.B.The CO₂ released by combustion was recently absorbed from the atmosphere by growing plants, and new plants will reabsorb it.C.Biomass releases less CO₂ per unit energy than natural gas, making it inherently cleaner.D.Carbon capture technology removes all CO₂ from biomass combustion flue gases.

Question 7

Which of the following correctly compares wind energy and hydroelectric energy as electricity sources?

A.Wind is dispatchable (output controlled on demand); hydro output fluctuates with weather.B.Both require large land areas and cause significant habitat destruction per kWh produced.C.Hydro produces dispatchable power from reservoirs; wind is intermittent but has minimal land-use impact below turbines.D.Wind produces no environmental impacts; hydro produces significant CO₂ from turbine manufacturing.

Question 8

Geothermal energy for electricity generation is most viable in which locations?

A.Equatorial regions with high solar radiationB.Areas near tectonic plate boundaries or volcanic hotspotsC.Coastal regions with strong ocean tidal forcesD.Flat continental interiors far from mountains

Question 9

LED lighting is more energy efficient than incandescent lighting primarily because:

A.LEDs use a chemical reaction to produce light, whereas incandescent bulbs use electricity.B.LEDs convert a higher percentage of electrical energy to light and a lower percentage to waste heat.C.LEDs produce more lumens per second because they burn at higher temperatures.D.LEDs require a transformer that steps up voltage, delivering more energy to produce light.

Question 10

A coal-fired power plant converts chemical energy in coal to electricity with an efficiency of 35%. If the plant consumes 1,000 kJ of energy from coal, how much electrical energy is delivered to the grid?

A.35 kJB.350 kJC.650 kJD.1,350 kJ

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Question 11

Nuclear fission power plants and coal-fired power plants share which fundamental similarity in how they generate electricity?

A.Both rely on combustion to release energy.B.Both produce electricity directly from their primary energy source without a turbine.C.Both heat water to produce steam that spins a turbine connected to a generator.D.Both produce large quantities of CO₂ as a direct byproduct of energy release.

Question 12

A homeowner installs solar panels (photovoltaic cells) on their rooftop. Which of the following accurately describes how they generate electricity?

A.Concentrated sunlight heats water to steam that spins a turbine.B.Photons from sunlight free electrons in silicon semiconductor material, creating a direct current.C.Solar radiation heats air inside panels, driving a convection-powered generator.D.Sunlight decomposes water molecules into hydrogen fuel that is then combusted.

AP Environmental Science Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption — Free with Answer Explanations | Test Practice Hub