AP Environmental Science Unit 6
Study Guide Latest Updated
What are the three fossil fuels? - ANSWER-Coal, oil, and natural gas
What are the 4 nonrenewable resources? - ANSWER-Coal, Oil, Natural gas, Nuclear
How is electricity generated at a power plant? - ANSWER-For fossil fuels, the fuel is
used to light a fire which heats water which makes steam which turns a turbine which
powers a generator. With Uranium, the material is contained inside rods which emit heat
and continue the process
Cons of natural gas - ANSWER--hard to transport
-risk of gas leaks and explosions
-25 times more effective as a greenhouse gas than CO2
Pros of Nuclear - ANSWER--Emits no CO2 once plant is operating
-offers independence from fossil fuels
-ample supply
-high energy density
-mostly used to create electricity
Cons of Nuclear - ANSWER--possible target for terrorist attacks
-a meltdown could be catastrophic
-plants are expensive to build due to legal challenges
Conservation vs efficiency - ANSWER-energy efficiency means investing in things that
run using less energy An example would be to invest in energy star products. Energy
conservation means using less electricity by simply not using it. Examples would be to
not use a dishwasher and wash dishes by hand instead.
What is biomass? - ANSWER-Biomass is decaying plant and animal tissue that has
accumulated. An example of biomass would be a build-up of dead trees
Passive solar design - ANSWER-Using solar power without having to work for it. This
includes south-facing windows because they get more heat in the winter. Double paned
windows keep things from getting too hot in the summer. Adobe walls have a high
thermal mass so they keep stuff warm in winter. Roof-overhang prevents direct sunlight
in the summer, and insulation keeps temperatures constant
, Thermal mass - ANSWER-the property of a building material to retain heat or cold.
Adobe and concrete have a high thermal mass, wood and glass have a lower thermal
mass because they do not retain as much heat and cold
How does a hydrogen fuel cell work? - ANSWER-A fuel cell converts hydrogen to
electricity using an electric-chemical device. It works similar to a battery where two
chemicals react in a closed container until the added chemical runs out and the battery
dies. With fuel cells, hydrogen is being added, so it will not die unless you stop adding
hydrogen.
Pros of biofuels - ANSWER--renewable resource
-burns cleaner than any fossil fuels
Cons of biofuels - ANSWER--hard to create tech that will produce the fuel
-relatively low EROEI
What are biofuels made of most often? - ANSWER-Corn, corn by-products, sugarcane,
woodchips, crop waste, and switchgrass
Difference between burning biofuels and fossil fuels - ANSWER-*****
smart grid - ANSWER-an efficient self-regulating electricity distribution network that
accepts any source of electricity and distributes it automatically to end users. Basically
just a really efficient way of getting any kind of electricity to people
pros of battery powered cars - ANSWER-*****
cons of battery powered cars - ANSWER-*****
metric conversions - ANSWER-1 kilocalorie=1000 calories
1 calorie=4.184 Joules
1 Btu=1055 Joules
1 kWh=3,600,000 joules=3.6 mega joules
1 hp=746 watts
Pros and region of Wind - ANSWER--no pollution
-economically viable
-uses a nondepletable resource
-Great plains/flat regions
-Any windy place
-Used for electricity primarily
Cons of Wind - ANSWER--intermittent power only when wind is blowing
-eye sore
-disrupts migration of birds and bats
Study Guide Latest Updated
What are the three fossil fuels? - ANSWER-Coal, oil, and natural gas
What are the 4 nonrenewable resources? - ANSWER-Coal, Oil, Natural gas, Nuclear
How is electricity generated at a power plant? - ANSWER-For fossil fuels, the fuel is
used to light a fire which heats water which makes steam which turns a turbine which
powers a generator. With Uranium, the material is contained inside rods which emit heat
and continue the process
Cons of natural gas - ANSWER--hard to transport
-risk of gas leaks and explosions
-25 times more effective as a greenhouse gas than CO2
Pros of Nuclear - ANSWER--Emits no CO2 once plant is operating
-offers independence from fossil fuels
-ample supply
-high energy density
-mostly used to create electricity
Cons of Nuclear - ANSWER--possible target for terrorist attacks
-a meltdown could be catastrophic
-plants are expensive to build due to legal challenges
Conservation vs efficiency - ANSWER-energy efficiency means investing in things that
run using less energy An example would be to invest in energy star products. Energy
conservation means using less electricity by simply not using it. Examples would be to
not use a dishwasher and wash dishes by hand instead.
What is biomass? - ANSWER-Biomass is decaying plant and animal tissue that has
accumulated. An example of biomass would be a build-up of dead trees
Passive solar design - ANSWER-Using solar power without having to work for it. This
includes south-facing windows because they get more heat in the winter. Double paned
windows keep things from getting too hot in the summer. Adobe walls have a high
thermal mass so they keep stuff warm in winter. Roof-overhang prevents direct sunlight
in the summer, and insulation keeps temperatures constant
, Thermal mass - ANSWER-the property of a building material to retain heat or cold.
Adobe and concrete have a high thermal mass, wood and glass have a lower thermal
mass because they do not retain as much heat and cold
How does a hydrogen fuel cell work? - ANSWER-A fuel cell converts hydrogen to
electricity using an electric-chemical device. It works similar to a battery where two
chemicals react in a closed container until the added chemical runs out and the battery
dies. With fuel cells, hydrogen is being added, so it will not die unless you stop adding
hydrogen.
Pros of biofuels - ANSWER--renewable resource
-burns cleaner than any fossil fuels
Cons of biofuels - ANSWER--hard to create tech that will produce the fuel
-relatively low EROEI
What are biofuels made of most often? - ANSWER-Corn, corn by-products, sugarcane,
woodchips, crop waste, and switchgrass
Difference between burning biofuels and fossil fuels - ANSWER-*****
smart grid - ANSWER-an efficient self-regulating electricity distribution network that
accepts any source of electricity and distributes it automatically to end users. Basically
just a really efficient way of getting any kind of electricity to people
pros of battery powered cars - ANSWER-*****
cons of battery powered cars - ANSWER-*****
metric conversions - ANSWER-1 kilocalorie=1000 calories
1 calorie=4.184 Joules
1 Btu=1055 Joules
1 kWh=3,600,000 joules=3.6 mega joules
1 hp=746 watts
Pros and region of Wind - ANSWER--no pollution
-economically viable
-uses a nondepletable resource
-Great plains/flat regions
-Any windy place
-Used for electricity primarily
Cons of Wind - ANSWER--intermittent power only when wind is blowing
-eye sore
-disrupts migration of birds and bats
