1B4 Energy Production

Question 1

Define:

conservation of energy

Answer 1

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transferred or transformed.

This principle applies to all physical processes.

Question 2

What is energy recycling?

Answer 2

Reusing energy that would otherwise be wasted.

It improves energy efficiency and reduces waste. For example, installing a heat recovery unit on an air conditioner will capture the excess heat generating during the cooling process. This heat then can be later reused to heat water heaters, or keep a comfortable temperature as it cools down.

Question 3

How does energy conservation benefit the economy?

Answer 3

• Reduces energy costs.
• Improves resource efficiency.

Energy conservation also lowers dependence on imported fuels.

Question 4

List two ways of conserving energy at home.

Answer 4

1. Using energy-efficient appliances.
2. Turning off lights when not in use.

Simple actions can significantly reduce energy consumption.

Question 5

What are the two categories of power sources based on renewability?

Answer 5

1. Renewable sources
2. Non-renewable sources

Renewable sources can be replenished, while non-renewable sources cannot be replenished.

Question 6

How is electricity generated in most power sources?

Answer 6

A turbine-generator set converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Examples of turbine-generator sets include steam turbines, combustion turbines, nuclear power plants, wind turbines, or hydropower.

Question 7

What is renewable energy?

Answer 7

Energy from resources that restore themselves over short periods of time and do not diminish.

Examples include solar energy and wind energy.

Question 8

What percentage of global electrical power currently comes from non-renewable sources?

Answer 8

Approximately 75%

Only about 25% of electrical power comes from clean, renewable energy.

Question 9

List three examples of renewable energy sources.

Answer 9

1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Geothermal energy

Each uses a natural resource to generate electricity.

Other examples include hydropower and bioenergy.

Question 10

What is the role of energy storage in renewable energy systems?

Answer 10

To store excess energy for use when generation is low.

Batteries and other storage systems balance supply and demand.

Question 11

List three examples of nonrenewable energy resources.

Answer 11

1. Coal
2. Nuclear energy
3. Natural gas

Nonrenewable resources are limited and cannot be replaced once used.

Question 12

What is the primary challenge associated with solar energy?

Answer 12

Solar power is intermittent.

it is only available during the day and is affected by weather. Photovoltaic panels are also expensive to manufacture.

Question 13

List three pros of using solar energy.

Answer 13

1. Renewable
2. Low operating costs
3. No greenhouse gas emissions

Solar energy is abundant and eco-friendly.

Question 14

What is a key characteristic of solar power generation?

Answer 14

It does not use a turbine.

When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by photovoltaic cells in the panel.

This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

Question 15

How does solar energy reduce carbon emissions?

Answer 15

It produces electricity without burning fossil fuels, thereby avoiding CO₂ emissions.

Solar power is a clean, renewable energy source.

Question 16

How does solar energy impact land use?

Answer 16

Large solar farms require significant land, potentially affecting ecosystems.

Rooftop solar reduces the need for additional land.

Question 17

How do modern geothermal power plants generate electricity?

Answer 17

By pumping hot water from underground to create steam that turns turbines.

Question 18

What percentage of the world’s electricity generation comes from geothermal energy?

Answer 18

Less than 1%.

Question 19

True or False:

Geothermal energy is location-dependent.

Answer 19

True

Geothermal plants need to be near geothermal reservoirs or tectonic plate boundaries in order to be effective. Top areas include Iceland, El Salvador, and New Zealand.

Question 20

What is hydropower primarily used for?

Answer 20

To generate electricity through dams using water pressure.

Hydropower accounts for about 16% of the world’s electricity generation.

Question 21

List three challenges associated with hydropower.

Answer 21

1. Limited suitable rivers for dam construction
2. Disruption to ecosystems
3. High construction costs

Dams like the Hoover Dam have a life expectancy of about 50-100 years.

Question 22

Which form of energy is derived from organic matter?

Answer 22

Bioenergy

Bioenergy involves obtaining energy from biomass, which are organic animal or plant materials. Examples include ethanol (derived from corn) or burning wood.

Question 23

List three sources of bioenergy.

Answer 23

1. Agricultural crops
2. Wood
3. Animal waste

Bioenergy is renewable and can help manage organic waste.

Question 24

List two pros of bioenergy.

Answer 24

1. Produce less pollution
2. Abundant

Biofuels can be replenished within a growing year.

Question 25

List *two* **cons** of bioenergy.

Answer 25

1. Production pollution 1. Costly ## Footnote The process of converting biotic waste into fuel releases gases such as methane into the atmosphere.

Question 26

List the *five* most **commonly used** renewable energy sources in order of usage.

Answer 26

1. Hydropower 1. Wind energy 1. Solar energy 1. Bioenergy 1. Geothermal energy ## Footnote This ranking is based on their usage in electricity generation.

Question 27

What **percentage** of electricity in the *U.S.* is generated from **fossil fuels**?

Answer 27

80% ## Footnote Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.

Question 28

What are the **primary sources** of fossil fuels?

Answer 28

**Remains** of ancient living organisms. ## Footnote The process involves intense heat and pressure to transform very old organic matter into fossil fuels.

Question 29

List *three* **pros** of using fossil fuels.

Answer 29

1. Extremely efficient 1. Useful byproducts 1. Relatively abundant and reliable ## Footnote Fossil fuels have significant stored energy and create jobs in extraction and refining.

Question 30

What is the main **drawback** of **using fossil fuels** for power generation?

Answer 30

They **release greenhouse gases**, contributing to climate change. ## Footnote Burning coal, oil, and gas produces CO₂ emissions.

Question 31

How does **wind power** generate electricity?

Answer 31

Wind **turns turbine** blades, which **spin a generator** to produce electricity. ## Footnote Wind energy is clean and renewable.

Question 32

# Fill in the blank: Wind turbines convert \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ energy into electricity.

Answer 32

kinetic

Question 33

What is a **major pro** of wind power?

Answer 33

It is a renewable resource and **carbon neutral**. ## Footnote Wind energy is harnessed from the movement of air and does not require burning any fuel.

Question 34

What is a **major con** of wind power?

Answer 34

It is **unreliable** when there is **no wind**.

Question 35

How does **nuclear power** generate electricity?

Answer 35

By using **nuclear fission** to release energy, which heats water to produce steam that drives turbines. ## Footnote Nuclear power is efficient but produces radioactive waste.

Question 36

List *two* **pros** of nuclear power.

Answer 36

1. Low pollution 1. Very efficient ## Footnote Nuclear power does not emit harmful gases during energy generation.

Question 37

What is the **primary fuel source** for nuclear power?

Answer 37

Uranium ## Footnote Uranium undergoes nuclear fission to release energy.

Question 38

List *two* **disadvantages** of nuclear power.

Answer 38

1. Produces radioactive waste. 1. High costs of plant construction and decommissioning. ## Footnote Safety and waste management are critical concerns.