Chapter 15 Online Study Guide

1. Read 15-4. Water and hydropower is another very important type of energy. Make sure you read about how we can use tides to produce electricity. Imagine that you are vacationing in Norway - remember that not only are they allowed to hunt whales, they also prduce 99% of their electricity through hydropower. You have decided to take your nephews on a camping trip for spring break and as you are hiking through a coniferous forest you encounter a low dam with no reservoir that is built across a small stream. Their is a beautiful little cottage near by that is uses the electricity produced by the tiny dam. Which of the following would be the best term for this situation?

Large-scale hydropower

Pumped-storage hydropower

Small-scale hydropower

Micro hydropower

The term "small-scale hydropower" is the best term for this situation because the dam mentioned in the scenario is built across a small stream and does not have a reservoir. This indicates that it is a small-scale project rather than a large-scale one. Additionally, the fact that the electricity produced by the dam is used by a nearby cottage further supports the idea that it is a small-scale hydropower system.

Explanation

The term "small-scale hydropower" is the best term for this situation because the dam mentioned in the scenario is built across a small stream and does not have a reservoir. This indicates that it is a small-scale project rather than a large-scale one. Additionally, the fact that the electricity produced by the dam is used by a nearby cottage further supports the idea that it is a small-scale hydropower system.

2. Read 15-5. Texas is now the wind capital of the United States. Many other countries are also using wind energy. Which of the following countries is the world's third largest use of wind power?

China

Denmark

Sweden

Germany

Japan

Italy

Germany is the world's third largest user of wind power. The question states that Texas is the wind capital of the United States, implying that the United States is a major user of wind power. The question also mentions that many other countries are using wind energy, suggesting that the answer is a country. Out of the given options, Germany is the most likely choice as it is known for its strong commitment to renewable energy, including wind power.

Explanation

Germany is the world's third largest user of wind power. The question states that Texas is the wind capital of the United States, implying that the United States is a major user of wind power. The question also mentions that many other countries are using wind energy, suggesting that the answer is a country. Out of the given options, Germany is the most likely choice as it is known for its strong commitment to renewable energy, including wind power.

3. Read 15-9 Decentralization of power is essential to the evolution of energy in the United States. This shift from centralized macropower to dispersed micropower is analogous to the computer industry's shift from large, centralized mainframes to increasingly smaller, widely dispersed PCs, laptops, and handheld computers. Which of the following is NOT an advantage of micropower systems

Easily financed

Can use locally available renewable energy resources

Easy to repair

Increase in CO2 emissions.

Micropower systems have several advantages, including being easily financed, being able to use locally available renewable energy resources, and being easy to repair. However, one disadvantage of micropower systems is that they do not lead to an increase in CO2 emissions. In fact, micropower systems typically have lower carbon footprints compared to centralized macropower systems, as they often rely on renewable energy sources that produce fewer or no CO2 emissions.

Explanation

Micropower systems have several advantages, including being easily financed, being able to use locally available renewable energy resources, and being easy to repair. However, one disadvantage of micropower systems is that they do not lead to an increase in CO2 emissions. In fact, micropower systems typically have lower carbon footprints compared to centralized macropower systems, as they often rely on renewable energy sources that produce fewer or no CO2 emissions.

4. Read 15-8. Geothermal has enormous potential as an energy source. Which of the following locations heats every building by hot spring water?

San Francisco

Kamath Falls, Oregon

Boise, Idaho

Iceland

Iceland is the correct answer because it is known for its abundant geothermal energy resources. The country has a high number of hot springs and geothermal areas, which are used to heat buildings and generate electricity. Iceland's geothermal energy is harnessed through the use of hot spring water, making it an ideal location for heating buildings.

Explanation

Iceland is the correct answer because it is known for its abundant geothermal energy resources. The country has a high number of hot springs and geothermal areas, which are used to heat buildings and generate electricity. Iceland's geothermal energy is harnessed through the use of hot spring water, making it an ideal location for heating buildings.

5. Read 15-1. Efficiency is the number one way we can decrease our energy use. Most items that we use are very inefficient. Which of the following correctly orders the efficiency from worst efficiency to best efficiency?

Human body, fuel cell, steam turbine

Internal combustion engine, fluorescent light, fuel cell, steam turbine

Incandescent, internal combustion engine, human body, steam turbine

Incandescent light, fluorescent light, human body , internal combustion engine

not-available-via-ai

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

6. Read 15-6. Biomass includes plant materials and animal wastes used a sources of energy. One way to produce biomass fuel is to plant, harvest and burn large numbers of fast-grwoing 1) trees, 2 Shrubs, 3 perennial grasses, 4 water hyacinths. Which of the following crops cannot be used to create ethanol (gasifying biomass)

Sugarcane

Sugar beets

Bristlecone pines

Sorghum

Bristlecone pines cannot be used to create ethanol through gasifying biomass. The passage states that biomass fuel can be produced by planting, harvesting, and burning fast-growing trees, shrubs, perennial grasses, and water hyacinths. Bristlecone pines are not mentioned as a suitable source of biomass for fuel production, indicating that they cannot be used to create ethanol.

Explanation

Bristlecone pines cannot be used to create ethanol through gasifying biomass. The passage states that biomass fuel can be produced by planting, harvesting, and burning fast-growing trees, shrubs, perennial grasses, and water hyacinths. Bristlecone pines are not mentioned as a suitable source of biomass for fuel production, indicating that they cannot be used to create ethanol.

7. Read 15-2. Alison Gannett built what type of house?

Straw house

Brick house

Wood house

Concrete house

Alison Gannett built a straw house.

Explanation

Alison Gannett built a straw house.

8. Read 15-7 Hydrogen fuel cells have been around for over 100 years. As we run out of oil (or when what's left costs too much to use), hydrogen gas will be the fuel of the future. When hydrogen gas burns in air, it combines with oxygen gas in the air and produces nonpolluting water vapor. Which of the following is NOT a method for producing hydrogen?

Photoelectrolysis, in which direct electriacl current is passed through water to convert its molecules into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen

Biomasss gasification, in which wood chips and agricultural wastes are superheated to turn them into hydrogen and other gases

Thermolysis, in which high temperatures (up to 3000 C) are used to split water molecules into H2 and O2.

The question asks for the method that is NOT used for producing hydrogen. The correct answer is "Photoelectrolysis, in which direct electrical current is passed through water to convert its molecules into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen." This method actually is used for producing hydrogen by splitting water molecules using electrical current. The other three methods mentioned (biomass gasification, thermolysis, and reforming) are all valid methods for producing hydrogen.

Explanation

The question asks for the method that is NOT used for producing hydrogen. The correct answer is "Photoelectrolysis, in which direct electrical current is passed through water to convert its molecules into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen." This method actually is used for producing hydrogen by splitting water molecules using electrical current. The other three methods mentioned (biomass gasification, thermolysis, and reforming) are all valid methods for producing hydrogen.

9. Read 15-3. The sun is the ultimate source of all energy and the reason life exists on the planet. Check out the following scenario: You are building a GREEN home and would like to make it as energy efficience as possible. You have designed your dream home and it costs about 100,000 dollars. In order to make it GREEN you have used a passive solar and superinsulated design. Due to this GREEN design the cost of your house will now be

150,000 - 175,000

105,000 - 110,000

75,000 - 85,000

125,000-150,000

The correct answer is 105,000 - 110,000. This is because the scenario states that the house is designed to be energy efficient using passive solar and superinsulated design. These features typically increase the cost of construction, so the price range of 105,000 - 110,000 reflects the additional expenses incurred to make the house green.

Explanation

The correct answer is 105,000 - 110,000. This is because the scenario states that the house is designed to be energy efficient using passive solar and superinsulated design. These features typically increase the cost of construction, so the price range of 105,000 - 110,000 reflects the additional expenses incurred to make the house green.

10. Read 15-10. Understanding the politics behind alternative energy is very important. As the presidential elections approach energy is often brought up in debates and commericials. Which of the following is a current political attitude towards energy.

The input approach, taxing each unit of energy produced at the beginning of the energy pipline

Decreased fossil fuel use through more alternative energies

Giving tax breaks to the insanely rich oil and gas industries

Removing tax breaks for the insanely rich oil and gas industries

The current political attitude towards energy is giving tax breaks to the insanely rich oil and gas industries. This suggests that the government is providing financial incentives to support and promote these industries, potentially to encourage their growth and development.

Explanation

The current political attitude towards energy is giving tax breaks to the insanely rich oil and gas industries. This suggests that the government is providing financial incentives to support and promote these industries, potentially to encourage their growth and development.