What this deck covers
This deck focuses on Geothermal Energy, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.
AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Geothermal Energy
Study Geothermal Energy in AP Environmental Science with focused flashcards that help you recognize the idea, recall the key rule, and apply it in practice-style prompts.
AP Environmental Science
Geothermal Energy
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QUESTION
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Which element is commonly released in geothermal emissions?
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ANSWER
Sulfur. H₂S gas creates odor and corrosion issues in geothermal operations.
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Flashcard 1: Which element is commonly released in geothermal emissions?
Answer: Sulfur. H₂S gas creates odor and corrosion issues in geothermal operations.
Flashcard 2: State the formula for geothermal gradient.
Answer: Geothermal gradient = DepthTemperature change. Measures rate of temperature increase with depth, typically 25-30°C per km.
Flashcard 3: What is the typical depth range for geothermal wells?
Answer: 1 km to 4 km. Deep drilling required to reach high-temperature geothermal resources.
Flashcard 4: What is the primary economic benefit of geothermal energy?
Answer: Reduced dependence on fossil fuels. Domestic renewable energy reduces imports and price volatility.
Flashcard 5: Identify a method to mitigate seismic activity from geothermal drilling.
Answer: Careful site selection and monitoring. Proper location assessment and gradual drilling reduce earthquake risks.
Flashcard 6: What is the role of heat exchangers in geothermal systems?
Answer: To transfer heat between fluids. Enable efficient heat transfer in binary cycle and other geothermal systems.
Flashcard 7: What is the primary source of geothermal energy?
Answer: Radioactive decay of elements in the Earth's core. Uranium, thorium, and potassium decay continuously, generating heat in Earth's core.
Flashcard 8: Identify an environmental benefit of geothermal energy.
Answer: Minimal land footprint. Small surface area compared to other renewable energy installations.
Flashcard 9: Which type of rock is typically associated with geothermal energy?
Answer: Igneous rock. Formed from cooled magma, often containing high subsurface temperatures.
Flashcard 10: Identify a major advantage of geothermal energy.
Answer: Low carbon emissions. Nearly zero greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel power plants.
Flashcard 11: What is a binary cycle power plant?
Answer: A plant using a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point than water. Secondary fluid vaporizes at lower temperatures, enabling power from moderate heat sources.
Flashcard 12: What geological feature is often associated with geothermal sites?
Answer: Volcanoes. Volcanic activity indicates subsurface magma and high geothermal potential.
Flashcard 13: State the formula for geothermal gradient.
Answer: Geothermal gradient = DepthTemperature change. Measures rate of temperature increase with depth, typically 25-30°C per km.
Flashcard 14: Identify a common use of geothermal energy.
Answer: Electricity generation. Steam drives turbines to generate clean electricity from Earth's heat.
Flashcard 15: Which country is the largest producer of geothermal energy?
Answer: United States. Leads global geothermal capacity with over 3,700 MW installed.
Flashcard 16: What is the term for the process of water returning to its original state in geothermal systems?
Answer: Reinjection. Cooled water returns underground to maintain reservoir sustainability.
Flashcard 17: What is the main function of a condenser in a geothermal plant?
Answer: To convert steam back into water. Cooling steam to liquid water completes the thermodynamic cycle.
Flashcard 18: How is heat extracted in a geothermal heat pump system?
Answer: By circulating a fluid through pipes underground. Ground temperature remains constant year-round, providing efficient heating/cooling.
Flashcard 19: State the efficiency range of geothermal power plants.
Answer: 10% to 20%. Lower than fossil fuel plants due to thermodynamic limitations of heat sources.
Flashcard 20: What geological feature is often associated with geothermal sites?
Answer: Volcanoes. Volcanic activity indicates subsurface magma and high geothermal potential.
Flashcard 21: What is the role of an injection well in geothermal systems?
Answer: To reinject the cooled water back into the reservoir. Maintains reservoir pressure and sustainability by returning used water underground.
Flashcard 22: What is the typical depth range for geothermal wells?
Answer: 1 km to 4 km. Deep drilling required to reach high-temperature geothermal resources.
Flashcard 23: Identify a component of a geothermal power plant.
Answer: Turbine. Steam from geothermal wells spins turbine blades to generate electricity.
Flashcard 24: What is the primary economic benefit of geothermal energy?
Answer: Reduced dependence on fossil fuels. Domestic renewable energy reduces imports and price volatility.
Flashcard 25: What is a geothermal field?
Answer: An area with a high concentration of geothermal activity. Multiple wells and power plants concentrate in zones of high heat flow.
Flashcard 26: Which element is commonly released in geothermal emissions?
Answer: Sulfur. H₂S gas creates odor and corrosion issues in geothermal operations.
Flashcard 27: What is the typical capital cost range for geothermal installations?
Answer: $2,500 to $5,000 per kW. High upfront costs but low operating expenses over plant lifetime.
Flashcard 28: What is geothermal energy?
Answer: Heat derived from the Earth's interior. Thermal energy stored beneath Earth's surface from core formation and radioactive decay.
Flashcard 29: Which country is the largest producer of geothermal energy?
Answer: United States. Leads global geothermal capacity with over 3,700 MW installed.
Flashcard 30: What is a common method of geothermal exploration?
Answer: Seismic surveys. Detect underground heat sources through seismic wave analysis.
Flashcard 31: What is a geothermal field?
Answer: An area with a high concentration of geothermal activity. Multiple wells and power plants concentrate in zones of high heat flow.
Flashcard 32: Identify a renewable aspect of geothermal energy.
Answer: Sustainable heat supply. Earth's internal heat regenerates continuously over geological time scales.
Flashcard 33: Which type of geothermal power plant uses both steam and hot water?
Answer: Flash steam power plant. High-pressure hot water flashes to steam when pressure drops in separator.
Flashcard 34: What is a disadvantage of geothermal energy?
Answer: Limited to regions with suitable geothermal activity. High-quality geothermal resources exist only in specific geological zones.
Flashcard 35: What is a geothermal power plant?
Answer: A facility that converts geothermal energy into electricity. Uses steam or hot water from underground to drive turbines for electricity.
Flashcard 36: What is the primary source of geothermal energy?
Answer: Radioactive decay of elements in the Earth's core. Uranium, thorium, and potassium decay continuously, generating heat in Earth's core.
Flashcard 37: What is a geothermal power plant?
Answer: A facility that converts geothermal energy into electricity. Uses steam or hot water from underground to drive turbines for electricity.
Flashcard 38: Identify a key factor in the feasibility of geothermal energy.
Answer: Geological conditions. Rock permeability, temperature, and water availability determine project viability.
Flashcard 39: Identify an environmental benefit of geothermal energy.
Answer: Minimal land footprint. Small surface area compared to other renewable energy installations.
Flashcard 40: What is the purpose of a production well?
Answer: To extract steam or hot water from the geothermal reservoir. Brings hot fluids to surface for power generation or direct use.
Flashcard 41: What is geothermal energy?
Answer: Heat derived from the Earth's interior. Thermal energy stored beneath Earth's surface from core formation and radioactive decay.
Flashcard 42: What is the typical temperature range of geothermal reservoirs?
Answer: 20°C to 370°C. Range varies from low-temperature direct use to high-temperature power generation.
Flashcard 43: What is the typical temperature range of geothermal reservoirs?
Answer: 20°C to 370°C. Range varies from low-temperature direct use to high-temperature power generation.
Flashcard 44: What is a geothermal aquifer?
Answer: A water-bearing geological formation used in geothermal systems. Underground rock layer containing heated groundwater for energy extraction.
Flashcard 45: What is the purpose of a production well?
Answer: To extract steam or hot water from the geothermal reservoir. Brings hot fluids to surface for power generation or direct use.
Flashcard 46: What is Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS)?
Answer: A technology to extract heat from dry, impermeable rocks. Water injection creates fractures in hot dry rock to enable heat extraction.
Flashcard 47: What is an example of a geothermal resource?
Answer: Geysers. Hot springs that periodically erupt steam and water from underground pressure.
Flashcard 48: What is a binary cycle power plant?
Answer: A plant using a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point than water. Secondary fluid vaporizes at lower temperatures, enabling power from moderate heat sources.
Flashcard 49: Identify a renewable aspect of geothermal energy.
Answer: Sustainable heat supply. Earth's internal heat regenerates continuously over geological time scales.
Flashcard 50: Identify one benefit of geothermal heating in residential areas.
Answer: Reduces heating costs. Stable ground temperatures provide consistent, efficient home heating.
Flashcard 51: Identify a risk of geothermal energy production.
Answer: Induced seismicity. Fluid injection can trigger small earthquakes in fault zones.
Flashcard 52: How does geothermal energy contribute to grid stability?
Answer: Provides baseload power. Operates continuously unlike intermittent solar and wind power sources.
Flashcard 53: Identify a method to mitigate seismic activity from geothermal drilling.
Answer: Careful site selection and monitoring. Proper location assessment and gradual drilling reduce earthquake risks.
Flashcard 54: Which type of geothermal power plant uses both steam and hot water?
Answer: Flash steam power plant. High-pressure hot water flashes to steam when pressure drops in separator.
Flashcard 55: What is the primary environmental concern of geothermal energy?
Answer: Release of hydrogen sulfide gas. H₂S creates rotten egg odor and can be toxic at high concentrations.
Flashcard 56: What is a common method of geothermal exploration?
Answer: Seismic surveys. Detect underground heat sources through seismic wave analysis.
Flashcard 57: Identify a common use of geothermal energy.
Answer: Electricity generation. Steam drives turbines to generate clean electricity from Earth's heat.
Flashcard 58: Identify one benefit of geothermal heating in residential areas.
Answer: Reduces heating costs. Stable ground temperatures provide consistent, efficient home heating.
Flashcard 59: Describe a direct use application of geothermal energy.
Answer: District heating. Hot water directly heats buildings and communities without electricity conversion.
Flashcard 60: State the efficiency range of geothermal power plants.
Answer: 10% to 20%. Lower than fossil fuel plants due to thermodynamic limitations of heat sources.
Flashcard 61: Which type of rock is typically associated with geothermal energy?
Answer: Igneous rock. Formed from cooled magma, often containing high subsurface temperatures.