Chapter 12 : Renewable energy & nuclear power

Question 1

Advantages producing electric power by nuclear energy

Answer 1

• Does not adversely affect climate change
• a carbon-free source of electricity
• emits no emissions directly into the atmosphere

not that it generates spent fuel

Question 2

Tidal energy is an example of

Answer 2

renewable energy

Question 3

T/F

The production of nuclear power is completely climate neutral

Answer 3

False

Question 4

High-lever radioactive wastes include

Answer 4

spent fuel rods

Question 5

T/F

One way to reduce heating cost is to install large, north-facing windows that take advantage of passive solar heating

Answer 5

False

Question 6

T/F
Health related problems resulting from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant reaction include increased incidence of leukemia and thyroid cancer

Answer 6

true

Question 7

Biomass

Answer 7

overuse can result in deforestation and desertification

Question 8

Examples of biomass

Answer 8

• Charcoal
• animal dung
• peat
• biogas

Question 9

Nuclear energy

Answer 9

involves changes in the nuclei of atoms

Question 10

the most common environmental hazard associated with geothermal energy is

Answer 10

the emission of hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

Question 11

T/F

Clouds increase solar intensity by scattering light and amplifying some of the sun’s energy

Answer 11

False

Question 12

An appropriate site for deep geological disposal of nuclear waste must…

Answer 12

have geologic stability

Question 13

T/F

One way to reduce heating costs is to install large, north-facing windows that take advantage of passive solar heating

Answer 13

False

Question 14

Active solar energy is used primarily for

Answer 14

heating water in pools

Question 15

All nuclear power plants in the US are

Answer 15

initially licensed to operate for 20 years

Question 16

The processes involved in producing the fuel used in nuclear reactors and in disposing of radioactive (nuclear) wastes is termed

Answer 16

the nuclear fuel cycle

Question 17

What describes the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl

Answer 17

• Was the worst accident ever to occur at a nuclear power plant
• Spread significant amounts of radioscopes across large portions of europe

Question 18

Harnessing wind energy is most profitable

Answer 18

• on islands
• along coastal areas
• along mountain passes
• on grasslands

Question 19

What is true about hydropower

Answer 19

• The world’s main renewable source of electrical generation
• is more efficient than any other energy source in producing electricity
• is the leading renewable energy source for the US

Question 20

Identify one disadvantage of solar thermal electric generation

Answer 20

solar systems only work during the day

Question 21

T/F

An isotope is an alternate form of the same element that has a different atomic mass

Answer 21

True

Question 22

T/F

A radioisotope is a stable isotope that does not spontaneously emit radiation

Answer 22

False

Question 23

___ is an option after the close of an old nuclear power plant in which the entire power plant is permanently encased in concrete

Answer 23

Entombment

Question 24

T/F
Photovolatics is a system of putting the sun’s energy to use without requiring mechanical devices to distribute the collected heat

Answer 24

False

Question 25

T/F
The process involved in producing the fuel used in nuclear reactors and in disposing of radioactive wastes is called the nuclear fuel cycle

Answer 25

True

Question 26

T/F

Biogas is plant material, including undigested fiber in animal waste, used as fuel

Answer 26

False

Question 27

T/F
Electric or mechanical energy obtained from surface air currents caused by the solar warming of air is called, wind energy

Answer 27

True

Question 28

___ is an ionized gas formed at high temperatures when electrons are stripped from gas atoms

Answer 28

Plasma

Question 29

___ is the joining of two lightweight atomic nuclei into a single, heavier nucleus, accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy

Answer 29

Fusion

Question 30

An isotope has ___ number of neutrons, and ___ number of protons

Answer 30

a different; the same

Question 31

T/F

High-level radioactive wastes are radioactive solids, liquids, or gases that give off small amounts of ionizing radiaton

Answer 31

False

Question 32

___ is a system of putting the sun’s energy to use in which a series of collectors absorb the solar energy, and pumps or fans distribute the collected heat

Answer 32

Active solar heating

Question 33

T/F

Decommission is the melting of a nuclear reactor vessel

Answer 33

False

Question 34

T/F

Most of the energy absorbed by earth is re-radiated as infrared radiation, which can be absorbed by greenhouse gasses

Answer 34

True

Question 35

T/F

Plasma is formed during fission ractions

Answer 35

False

Question 36

T/F

Atomic number is a number that represents the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom

Answer 36

False

Question 37

Nuclear energy is energy released by nuclear ___

Answer 37

fission and fusion

Question 38

T/F

Meltdown occurs when the nuclear reactor vessel melts

Answer 38

True

Question 39

T/F
A wafer or thin film of solid-state materials, such as silicon or gallium arsenide, that is treated with certain metals so that it generates electricity is called a solar cell

Answer 39

True

Question 40

Passive solar heating

Answer 40

a system of putting the sun’s energy to use without requiring mechanical devices to distribute the collected heat

Question 41

active solar heating

Answer 41

a system of putting the sun’s energy to use in which a series of collectors absorb the solar energy, and pumps or fans distribute the collected heat

Question 42

Solar thermal electricity generation

Answer 42

a means of producing electricity in which the sun’s energy is concentrated by mirrors or lenses to either heat a fluid-filled pipline or drive a stirling engine