Introductory Energy Topics - AP Environmental Science

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Question

Most automobiles today have an energy efficiency of roughly 25% to 30%, meaning only a fraction of the potential energy from the gas you pump into your car will be converted into the kinetic energy of the car actually moving. Which of the following statements is true and best explains this phenomenon?

Answer

The second law of thermodynamics states that when energy is converted from one form to another, some energy is lost and efficiency decreases. The energy from gasoline igniting is lost to friction from the engine and converting energy in the form of a combustion to the form of wheels rotating forward. Efficiency of energy use is lost in this conversion process.

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Question

Which Law of Thermodynamics explains how Earth is an open system?

Answer

The Second Law of thermodynamics states that the entropy on Earth can only increase unless there is an external source of energy. This external source is the Sun, which makes Earth an open system. Energy is able to flow both into an out of the Earth's energy system and explains phenomena such as evolution and global warming.

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Question

Which of the following forms of energy results from the motion of electrons?

Answer

Electrical energy is form of energy that results from the motion of electrons.

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Question

Which of the following is not a type of renewable energy?

Answer

Nuclear energy has the potential to last a long time; however, the quantity is finite and limited—similar to oil and gas. Solar energy, wind energy, and geothermal energy—from heat within the Earth—are produced by energy sources that do not deplete over time and can be constantly renewed.

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Question

What is the nature of photosynthesis and its objective in energy conversion?

Answer

Photosynthesis is the chemical process of utilizing the sun's radiant energy to produce glucose. Glucose is a carbohydrate monomer that is used for energy storage. Heat is not the type of energy utilized from the sun and the conversion of chemical energy into other forms is the reverse process of Photosynthesis.

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Question

Imagine you own an electric car and you recharge the battery each night. Each morning before you leave for work, the battery is fully charged. What time of energy does this fully charged battery contain before you start the engine?

Answer

The correct response is **potential energy.**This is stored energy at rest. It's energy waiting to be used. However, if the car was moving they would would call it kinetic energy - energy in motion. Since in the questions the car hadn't been started yet, kinetic energy is the incorrect response. Radiant energy is from the sunlight, thus that answer is incorrect. Metabolic energy is related to digestion so that response is incorrect.

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Question

One of the major challenges in creating a sustainable future is to develop renewable energies. Which of the following is not an example of a renewable energy?

Answer

The correct response is natural gas. This is an example of a fossil fuel - like coal and oil. Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable resources because once they are used up, they are gone forever. All of the other answer choices are considered renewable resources because they can be used multiple times without being depleted. For example, if an individual adds solar panels to their home, then they will receive energy day after day - sunlight is not completely used up by the solar panels.

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Question

The kilowatt-hour is a unit that is used to quantify __________.

Answer

A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy equal to one thousand watt-hours. A watt-hour is the amount of energy used to power a hypothetical device for one hour that requires one watt of energy to function. Thus, a kilowatt-hour is used to measure energy consumption.

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