Chapter 12 Questions

Question 1

In the US, how many watts of energy used continuously?

Answer 1

10,000 watts of energy

Question 2

What are the two types of nonrenewable energy?

Answer 2

1. Fossil Fuels and

2. Nuclear Fuels

Question 3

What are three examples of fossil fuels?

Answer 3

1. Coal
2. Oil
3. Natural gas

Question 4

How is energy harnessed from fossil fuels?

Answer 4

The fuels are burnt and the heat energy is harnessed from the combustion.

Question 5

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

Answer 5

When energy is transformed, it’s ability to do work diminishes (some energy is always going to be lost)

Question 6

What is the efficiency rate of coal?

Answer 6

Approximately 35%

Question 7

What is the EROEI?

Answer 7

Energy Return On Energy Investment:

Energy obtained from fuel
_______________________
Energy invested to obtain fuel

Question 8

Which is the most efficient?

Train; bus; bicycle; car

Answer 8

Train

Question 9

What is normally the capacity of a typical US power plant?

Answer 9

500 MW of electricity

Question 10

What are the 4 types of coal AND a precursor to coal?

Answer 10

1. Lignite 2. Sub-bituminous
2. Bituminous 4. Anthracite

Precursor: peat