- Description
ENV 100T Week 5 WileyPLUS Weekly Exam
In this graded assignment you are assessed on the content covered in this weeks’ readings, activities, and assignments. To help you prepare, it is recommended that you first complete this week’s Learning Path and Self-Test Learning Activities prior to completing this exam.
Click on the Assignments link in WileyPLUS to access the Week 5 Exam.
Complete the Week 5 Exam covering this week’s assigned readings:
- Ch. 17: Nonrenewable Energy Resources
- Ch. 18: Renewable Energy Resources
Note: Work submitted in WileyPLUS does not count toward attendance. Be sure to post at least two times each week in the online classroom to avoid being auto-dropped from the course.
Question 1
Nuclear energy is released
by splitting two electrons.
by joining a proton with a neutron.
by breaking a chemical bond between two atoms.
by splitting an atomic nucleus into two smaller fragments.
by combustion of uranium ore.
Question 2
What is the function of the device diagramed below?
to maintain a constant temperature for U-235.
to control the fission chain reaction to produce energy for electricity.
to store spent fuel rods from nuclear reactors for at least 40 years.
to filter CO2 generated by the fission of U-235 nuclei.
a reservoir for enriching U-235.
Question 3
All of the following statements are true about surface mining except
Strip mining is an example of surface mining.
It accounts for 60% of the coal mined in the U.S.
Surface mining is the most hazardous type of mining for workers.
Surface mining is a less expensive mining process than subsurface mining.
Mountaintop removal is an example of surface mining.
Question 4
What is a major issue with the type of mining illustrated below?
fluidized-bed combustion
acid precipitation
risk of earthquakes
safety risk to mine employees
land degradation
Question 5
What is a critical difference between surface and subsurface mining?
Surface mining is more expensive than subsurface mining
Surface mining is above ground; subsurface mining is below ground
Surface mining causes less environmental damage than subsurface mining
Subsurface mining creates acid mine drainage; surface mining does not
Subsurface mining has the potential for dangerous landslides; surface mining has the potential for cave-ins
Question 6
What legislation provides incentives for utility companies to convert to clean coal technologies?
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
Superfund National Priorities Act of 2007
Question 7
What is acid mine drainage?
pollution caused when rainwater seeps through iron sulfide minerals exposed in mine wastes
photochemical reactions between particulates and water vapor
residue from sulfur and nitrogen compounds found in coal dust
acid precipitation caused by emissions from burning coal
a low pH fuel that is synthesized from natural gas
Question 8
Which of the following activities is mismatched with its environmental consequence?
surface mining: acid mine drainage polluting rivers
coal-burning electric plants: acid deposition destroying forests
mountaintop removal mining: mine tailings and debris filling valleys
strip mining: oil spills killing wildlife
burning fossil fuels: release of CO2, a potent greenhouse gas
Question 9
Which of the following is an example of high-level radioactive waste?
glassware giving off small amounts of ionizing radiation
paper contaminated by radioactivity
reactor coolant fluid
lab coat used in an area where radioactive material is present
filters from sampling devices that test for radioactive contamination
Question 10
Mountaintop removal is an example of ___ mining.
subsurface
surface
shaft
combustion
integrated
Question 11
Negative environmental impacts from oil and natural gas production may occur due to
release of oxides in combustion emissions.
accidental spills at extraction sites and during transport.
erosion and landslides during withdrawal of resources.
improper storage and disposal of spent fuel.
unintentional release of methane into atmosphere.
Question 12
What does the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 legislate for environmental disasters such as the one pictured below?
hazardous pay for clean-up workers
tidal barriers to help prevent the spread of oil slicks
a remediation protocol for impacted wildlife populations
requires that, by 2015, oil be transported by land and not sea
a trust fund that pays to clean up oil spills when the responsible party cannot
Question 13
Tidal energy cannot become a significant resource worldwide because
the accompanying tidal waves cause too much environmental destruction.
the equipment required to harness this energy is not yet.
few areas have large enough differences in water level between high and low tides to make power generation feasible.
sand damages the equipment.
tidal energy can become a significant resource worldwide.
Question 14
The best example of an energy storage element in a solar energy system is the
natural gas in a propane tank that can be used for cooking.
structural overhang that blocks sunlight in a passively cooled home.
insulated windows in a passively heated solar home.
hot water tank of a solar hot water system.
sun-tracking mirrors in a power tower system.
Question 15
Photovoltaic systems are characterized by all of the following except
directly converting sunlight into electricity.
minimal maintenance.
producing no pollution.
functioning on cloudy or rainy days.
minimal space requirement for large-scale use.
Question 16
Which of the following is a good energy efficiency practice for those with existing homes?
replace the existing insulation with a higher quality product.
board up windows on the north, east and west sides of the house.
install a gas-burning fireplace in the family room.
pour a concrete foundation between the ground and subfloor of the home.
dial down the water heater’s thermostat to knock 3-5 percent off your energy bill.
Question 17
Which of the following is more efficient (90%) than any other energy source for producing electricity?
hydropower
wind energy
photovoltaic
passive solar
geothermal
Question 18
Which of the following biomass energy sources is incorrectly matched with its biofuel product?
sugar cane: alcohol
oil used to make French fries: biodiesel
clay: biogas
manure: methane
wood: charcoal
Question 19
Problems associated with large hydropower dams and reservoirs include all of the following except
relocation of peoples’ homes.
ecosystem destruction.
loss of biodiversity.
air pollution.
disruption of fish migration.
Question 20
All of the following are disadvantages of photovoltaic solar cell technology except
the manufacturing process requires toxic industrial chemicals.
the amount of land needed to hold the number of solar panels required for large-scale use.
each panel’s low efficiency at converting solar energy to electricity.
the steadily increasing manufacturing cost per watt over the last 35 years.
the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to greenhouse gases.
Question 21
Electric meters can run backward for homeowners participating in net metering. What does this mean?
homeowners receive meter credit for excess energy they generate and supply to the utility’s power grid
the up front costs for installing renewable energy is recovered by rewinding the home’s electric meter
if a homeowner uses less energy in one month than the previous month, then the difference is subtracted from the electric meter
homeowners who voluntarily cut back on air conditioning use are granted an electric credit
a radio controlled electric meter for remote monitoring allows the utility company to stop the meter during peak demand periods
Question 22
The disadvantages of using wind energy to generate electricity include all of the following except
windmills kill birds.
generation of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
degradation of an area’s scenic beauty.
tying up large parcels of land.
distance to urban centers where electricity is most needed.
Question 23
What type of solar energy system is illustrated below?
passive solar heating system
photovoltaic solar cell system
solar thermal electric generation
solar-generated hydrogen fuel cell
radiant energy convection solar heating system
Question 24
In rural areas of developing countries, photovoltaic cells are used for all of the following purposes except
charging batteries.
heating hot water heaters.
providing refrigeration for vaccines.
grinding grain.
pumping water.
Question 25
Which of the following best describes how this geothermal heat pump works?
the pressure of hot water from a deep well turns a turbine and generates electricity.
steam separated from hot water pumped from underground turns a turbine and generates electricity.
water is transferred from a deep well to a coil exposed to solar radiation to heat the water sufficiently to generate steam, which turns a turbine and generates electricity.
a pipe with heated oil is sent deep into Earth to initiate a volcanic eruption then is tapped so that the energy can be used to generate electricity.
water is transferred from a deep well into a hot water tank, which is kept at a constant temperature by combustion of natural gas.