Distribution of Natural Energy Resources - AP Environmental Science
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What is the primary energy source for solar power?
What is the primary energy source for solar power?
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Sunlight. Solar panels convert electromagnetic radiation from the sun.
Sunlight. Solar panels convert electromagnetic radiation from the sun.
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Identify one limitation of solar power.
Identify one limitation of solar power.
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Intermittency due to weather and nighttime. Cannot generate power when sun isn't shining.
Intermittency due to weather and nighttime. Cannot generate power when sun isn't shining.
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Which energy source is used in photovoltaic cells?
Which energy source is used in photovoltaic cells?
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Solar energy. PV cells directly convert sunlight into electrical current.
Solar energy. PV cells directly convert sunlight into electrical current.
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What is the main environmental risk of nuclear power?
What is the main environmental risk of nuclear power?
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Nuclear waste disposal. Radioactive waste remains dangerous for thousands of years.
Nuclear waste disposal. Radioactive waste remains dangerous for thousands of years.
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Which energy resource is most affected by geographical location?
Which energy resource is most affected by geographical location?
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Geothermal energy. Requires specific geological conditions and heat sources underground.
Geothermal energy. Requires specific geological conditions and heat sources underground.
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What is the main benefit of using hydropower?
What is the main benefit of using hydropower?
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Renewable and capable of large-scale energy production. Provides consistent, reliable power with minimal emissions.
Renewable and capable of large-scale energy production. Provides consistent, reliable power with minimal emissions.
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Which renewable energy is most dependent on weather conditions?
Which renewable energy is most dependent on weather conditions?
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Solar energy. Cloud cover and storms drastically reduce energy output.
Solar energy. Cloud cover and storms drastically reduce energy output.
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What is the energy transformation in a hydroelectric dam?
What is the energy transformation in a hydroelectric dam?
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Potential energy to kinetic energy to electrical energy. Water flows through turbines converting motion to electricity.
Potential energy to kinetic energy to electrical energy. Water flows through turbines converting motion to electricity.
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Which renewable energy source is derived from ocean tides?
Which renewable energy source is derived from ocean tides?
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Tidal energy. Uses gravitational pull of moon and sun on oceans.
Tidal energy. Uses gravitational pull of moon and sun on oceans.
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Identify the primary use of petroleum.
Identify the primary use of petroleum.
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Fuel for transportation. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for vehicles.
Fuel for transportation. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for vehicles.
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What is the main disadvantage of biomass energy?
What is the main disadvantage of biomass energy?
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It can compete with food production for land. Competes with agriculture for fertile land and resources.
It can compete with food production for land. Competes with agriculture for fertile land and resources.
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Identify one use of geothermal energy.
Identify one use of geothermal energy.
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Heating buildings. Direct heat application for homes and industrial processes.
Heating buildings. Direct heat application for homes and industrial processes.
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Which energy resource is considered carbon-neutral?
Which energy resource is considered carbon-neutral?
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Biomass, when sustainably managed. Absorbs $CO_2$ during growth, releasing it when burned.
Biomass, when sustainably managed. Absorbs $CO_2$ during growth, releasing it when burned.
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Identify one environmental benefit of wind energy.
Identify one environmental benefit of wind energy.
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No water consumption during operation. Wind turbines don't require water for cooling or operation.
No water consumption during operation. Wind turbines don't require water for cooling or operation.
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Identify one advantage of nuclear energy.
Identify one advantage of nuclear energy.
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Low greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Produces massive energy without carbon dioxide emissions.
Low greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Produces massive energy without carbon dioxide emissions.
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Which energy resource uses heat from the Earth's interior?
Which energy resource uses heat from the Earth's interior?
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Geothermal energy. Taps into natural heat stored beneath Earth's surface.
Geothermal energy. Taps into natural heat stored beneath Earth's surface.
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What process is used in nuclear reactors to generate energy?
What process is used in nuclear reactors to generate energy?
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Nuclear fission. Uranium atoms split releasing tremendous heat for electricity.
Nuclear fission. Uranium atoms split releasing tremendous heat for electricity.
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Which type of coal has the highest energy content?
Which type of coal has the highest energy content?
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Anthracite. Hardest coal type with highest carbon content and heat.
Anthracite. Hardest coal type with highest carbon content and heat.
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Identify one example of a non-renewable energy resource.
Identify one example of a non-renewable energy resource.
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Coal. Formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced quickly.
Coal. Formed over millions of years and cannot be replaced quickly.
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What is a common use for natural gas besides electricity generation?
What is a common use for natural gas besides electricity generation?
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Heating. Used for residential and commercial heating systems.
Heating. Used for residential and commercial heating systems.
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Identify one environmental impact of coal mining.
Identify one environmental impact of coal mining.
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Land degradation. Strip mining destroys topsoil and natural landscapes.
Land degradation. Strip mining destroys topsoil and natural landscapes.
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What is the primary use of coal worldwide?
What is the primary use of coal worldwide?
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Electricity generation. Power plants burn coal to generate electricity globally.
Electricity generation. Power plants burn coal to generate electricity globally.
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Which energy resource can result in habitat destruction?
Which energy resource can result in habitat destruction?
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Hydropower. Dams flood ecosystems and block fish migration routes.
Hydropower. Dams flood ecosystems and block fish migration routes.
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What is the estimated time to depletion for coal reserves?
What is the estimated time to depletion for coal reserves?
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Approximately 150 years. Based on current consumption rates and known reserves.
Approximately 150 years. Based on current consumption rates and known reserves.
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What is a major advantage of wind energy?
What is a major advantage of wind energy?
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It produces no direct emissions during operation. Clean generation without air pollutants or greenhouse gases.
It produces no direct emissions during operation. Clean generation without air pollutants or greenhouse gases.
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Identify a major challenge in transitioning to renewable energy.
Identify a major challenge in transitioning to renewable energy.
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Grid integration and storage of intermittent energy. Variable output requires backup systems and storage solutions.
Grid integration and storage of intermittent energy. Variable output requires backup systems and storage solutions.
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Identify one way to reduce energy consumption in homes.
Identify one way to reduce energy consumption in homes.
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Use energy-efficient appliances. Reduces electricity demand and utility bills effectively.
Use energy-efficient appliances. Reduces electricity demand and utility bills effectively.
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What is the main component of natural gas?
What is the main component of natural gas?
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Methane. Burns cleanly with fewer emissions than other fossil fuels.
Methane. Burns cleanly with fewer emissions than other fossil fuels.
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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 replenished on a human timescale. Unlike fossil fuels which take millions of years to form.
An energy source that is naturally replenished on a human timescale. Unlike fossil fuels which take millions of years to form.
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What is the major drawback of tidal energy?
What is the major drawback of tidal energy?
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Limited suitable sites. Requires specific coastal geography with significant tidal range.
Limited suitable sites. Requires specific coastal geography with significant tidal range.
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