Compare Energy Choice Effects - 4th Grade Science
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Which energy choice often requires mining that can damage land and water: coal or sunlight?
Which energy choice often requires mining that can damage land and water: coal or sunlight?
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Coal. Coal mining strips land and can pollute nearby water sources.
Coal. Coal mining strips land and can pollute nearby water sources.
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Which energy choice can harm fish by blocking rivers with dams: hydropower or rooftop solar?
Which energy choice can harm fish by blocking rivers with dams: hydropower or rooftop solar?
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Hydropower. Dams block fish migration routes and change river ecosystems.
Hydropower. Dams block fish migration routes and change river ecosystems.
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What is a nonrenewable energy resource?
What is a nonrenewable energy resource?
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An energy source that is limited and replaces very slowly. Examples include coal, oil, and natural gas formed over millions of years.
An energy source that is limited and replaces very slowly. Examples include coal, oil, and natural gas formed over millions of years.
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What is a renewable energy resource?
What is a renewable energy resource?
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An energy source that is naturally replaced quickly. Examples include solar, wind, and water power that nature replenishes.
An energy source that is naturally replaced quickly. Examples include solar, wind, and water power that nature replenishes.
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Which energy choice produces electricity with no air pollution at the point of use: solar panels or gasoline engines?
Which energy choice produces electricity with no air pollution at the point of use: solar panels or gasoline engines?
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Solar panels. Solar converts sunlight directly to electricity without combustion.
Solar panels. Solar converts sunlight directly to electricity without combustion.
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Which energy choice can kill some birds or bats if not placed carefully: wind power or geothermal?
Which energy choice can kill some birds or bats if not placed carefully: wind power or geothermal?
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Wind power. Turbine blades can strike flying animals, though impacts are relatively small.
Wind power. Turbine blades can strike flying animals, though impacts are relatively small.
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What is biomass energy?
What is biomass energy?
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Energy from burning plant or animal material. Includes wood, crops, and waste that can be burned for energy.
Energy from burning plant or animal material. Includes wood, crops, and waste that can be burned for energy.
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Which choice usually releases more air pollution when used for heat: burning wood (biomass) or using solar electricity?
Which choice usually releases more air pollution when used for heat: burning wood (biomass) or using solar electricity?
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Burning wood (biomass). Wood burning releases smoke and particles; solar produces no emissions.
Burning wood (biomass). Wood burning releases smoke and particles; solar produces no emissions.
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Which choice reduces pollution more: a more efficient car using less gasoline, or a less efficient car using more gasoline?
Which choice reduces pollution more: a more efficient car using less gasoline, or a less efficient car using more gasoline?
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A more efficient car using less gasoline. Less fuel burned means fewer emissions and less pollution.
A more efficient car using less gasoline. Less fuel burned means fewer emissions and less pollution.
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What does energy efficiency mean when comparing fuel choices?
What does energy efficiency mean when comparing fuel choices?
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Using less energy to do the same job. Efficient devices waste less energy as heat or friction.
Using less energy to do the same job. Efficient devices waste less energy as heat or friction.
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Which fuel choice usually produces the most $CO_2$ per unit of energy: coal or natural gas?
Which fuel choice usually produces the most $CO_2$ per unit of energy: coal or natural gas?
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Coal. Coal has more carbon content than natural gas, releasing more $CO_2$.
Coal. Coal has more carbon content than natural gas, releasing more $CO_2$.
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Which energy choice generally has the smallest long-term fuel waste because it uses sunlight directly: solar or coal?
Which energy choice generally has the smallest long-term fuel waste because it uses sunlight directly: solar or coal?
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Solar. Sunlight is free and produces no waste products during use.
Solar. Sunlight is free and produces no waste products during use.
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Which energy choice can cause oil spills that harm ocean and coastal ecosystems: oil or wind?
Which energy choice can cause oil spills that harm ocean and coastal ecosystems: oil or wind?
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Oil. Oil transport and drilling can leak, harming marine life and beaches.
Oil. Oil transport and drilling can leak, harming marine life and beaches.
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Which energy choice produces electricity with no air pollution at the point of use: wind turbines or coal plants?
Which energy choice produces electricity with no air pollution at the point of use: wind turbines or coal plants?
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Wind turbines. Wind power generates electricity without burning fuel or releasing emissions.
Wind turbines. Wind power generates electricity without burning fuel or releasing emissions.
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What gas is a major product of burning fossil fuels and is linked to climate change?
What gas is a major product of burning fossil fuels and is linked to climate change?
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Carbon dioxide, $CO_2$. This greenhouse gas traps heat in Earth's atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide, $CO_2$. This greenhouse gas traps heat in Earth's atmosphere.
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Which fuel choice usually produces the least air pollution when burned: coal, oil, or natural gas?
Which fuel choice usually produces the least air pollution when burned: coal, oil, or natural gas?
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Natural gas. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal or oil, producing fewer pollutants.
Natural gas. Natural gas burns cleaner than coal or oil, producing fewer pollutants.
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Which fuel choice usually produces the most air pollution when burned: coal, oil, or natural gas?
Which fuel choice usually produces the most air pollution when burned: coal, oil, or natural gas?
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Coal. Coal releases the most pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulates when burned.
Coal. Coal releases the most pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulates when burned.
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What environmental problem can oil spills cause in oceans and rivers?
What environmental problem can oil spills cause in oceans and rivers?
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Water pollution that harms plants and animals. Oil is toxic to aquatic life and damages ecosystems.
Water pollution that harms plants and animals. Oil is toxic to aquatic life and damages ecosystems.
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Which option usually uses the least fuel per person: a full bus or many single-occupant cars?
Which option usually uses the least fuel per person: a full bus or many single-occupant cars?
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A full bus. Shared transportation divides fuel consumption among many passengers.
A full bus. Shared transportation divides fuel consumption among many passengers.
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What is one major environmental concern about burning gasoline in cars?
What is one major environmental concern about burning gasoline in cars?
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It releases air pollutants, including $CO_2$. Combustion produces greenhouse gases and smog-forming compounds.
It releases air pollutants, including $CO_2$. Combustion produces greenhouse gases and smog-forming compounds.
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