PHYS 273 – Energy and Environment
Final Exam – Study Guide
The ratio of different types of carbon in the atmosphere tells us
a. that CO2 levels have increased since the 1800s.
b. that the increase in atmospheric CO2 is from very old sources.
c. nothing about the source of atmospheric CO2.
Global mean sea levels have been steadily rising since 1900. This can be accounted for by
a. glacial mass loss and oceanic thermal expansion.
b. glacial mass loss and increased precipitation.
c. oceanic expansion and increased precipitation.
d. data anomalies.
Greenhouse gasses are gasses that
Are transparent to visible light but absorb infrared
Which of the following is not true?
a. The Earth has been warming over the last 100 years
b. It is unclear what has caused the increase in atmospheric CO2
c. The current average temperature of the Earth is the highest it’s been in about 1000 years
d. Atmospheric CO2 levels are the highest they have been in about 400 000 years
The last time the atmospheric CO2 concentrations were as high as they are now was
They have never been this high in the last 400 000 years
Today’s weather can tell us if climate change is real.
False
Without humans there would be no greenhouse effect.
False
Greenhouse gases
Absorb much more outgoing radiation from the Earth than incoming radiation from the sun
The source of the increase in atmospheric CO2 is
a. Human activities
b. The natural carbon cycle
Earth is warming
True
Coal is the only fossil fuel that contains sulphur
False
Which sector produces the most nitrogen oxide?
1
, a. Transportation
b. Fossil fuel burning excluding transportation
c. Industrial processes
d. Biofuel burning
Almost all air pollutant emissions are currently the highest they have been in the last 15 years
False
The energy sector is the leading cause of sulphur oxides
False
The layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface is called the
a. Mesosphere
b. Troposphere
c. Thermosphere
d. Stratosphere
In Canada, the number of rail and truck oil related incidents has been fairly steady over the last 10
years or so
True
The most abundant air pollutant is
a. Nitrogen oxides
b. Carbon monoxide (CO)
c. Particulates
d. Volative organics
Which has potential for the largest oil spills?
a. Pipeline
b. Truck
c. Rail
The main pollutant that can contaminate water systems after coal has been burned is called.
a. Coal ash
b. Cool silt
c. Coal tails
d. Potash
Which is of greater importance in terms of environmental impact?
a. NO
b. NO2
A good home insulation will not be good at transferring heat.
2
, True
In Canada most of our residential energy use is consumed through
a. Space cooling
b. Water healing
c. Space heating
d. Lighting and appliances
When heat is transferred through the macroscopic movement of fluids, the process is called
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Transaction
d. Radiation
When heat is transferred by light being emitted or absorbed, the process is called
a. Transaction
b. Radiation
c. Conduction
d. Convection
When heat is transferred between two objects in contact with each other, the process is called
Conduction
The standard that certifies energy efficient products is called
a. Green Star
b. Energy Star
c. GreenLife
All electric heating systems do not depend on fossil fuels for energy production
False
If a 100W light bulb produces 3W of visible light, 60W of heat, and 37W of invisible radiation,
whats is its efficiency?
3%
Energy efficient light bulbs are about 50% more efficient than standard light bulbs.
False
A heat pump uses electricity
a. To generate heat
b. To burn fuel
c. To run a small compressor
3
Final Exam – Study Guide
The ratio of different types of carbon in the atmosphere tells us
a. that CO2 levels have increased since the 1800s.
b. that the increase in atmospheric CO2 is from very old sources.
c. nothing about the source of atmospheric CO2.
Global mean sea levels have been steadily rising since 1900. This can be accounted for by
a. glacial mass loss and oceanic thermal expansion.
b. glacial mass loss and increased precipitation.
c. oceanic expansion and increased precipitation.
d. data anomalies.
Greenhouse gasses are gasses that
Are transparent to visible light but absorb infrared
Which of the following is not true?
a. The Earth has been warming over the last 100 years
b. It is unclear what has caused the increase in atmospheric CO2
c. The current average temperature of the Earth is the highest it’s been in about 1000 years
d. Atmospheric CO2 levels are the highest they have been in about 400 000 years
The last time the atmospheric CO2 concentrations were as high as they are now was
They have never been this high in the last 400 000 years
Today’s weather can tell us if climate change is real.
False
Without humans there would be no greenhouse effect.
False
Greenhouse gases
Absorb much more outgoing radiation from the Earth than incoming radiation from the sun
The source of the increase in atmospheric CO2 is
a. Human activities
b. The natural carbon cycle
Earth is warming
True
Coal is the only fossil fuel that contains sulphur
False
Which sector produces the most nitrogen oxide?
1
, a. Transportation
b. Fossil fuel burning excluding transportation
c. Industrial processes
d. Biofuel burning
Almost all air pollutant emissions are currently the highest they have been in the last 15 years
False
The energy sector is the leading cause of sulphur oxides
False
The layer of the atmosphere closest to the Earth’s surface is called the
a. Mesosphere
b. Troposphere
c. Thermosphere
d. Stratosphere
In Canada, the number of rail and truck oil related incidents has been fairly steady over the last 10
years or so
True
The most abundant air pollutant is
a. Nitrogen oxides
b. Carbon monoxide (CO)
c. Particulates
d. Volative organics
Which has potential for the largest oil spills?
a. Pipeline
b. Truck
c. Rail
The main pollutant that can contaminate water systems after coal has been burned is called.
a. Coal ash
b. Cool silt
c. Coal tails
d. Potash
Which is of greater importance in terms of environmental impact?
a. NO
b. NO2
A good home insulation will not be good at transferring heat.
2
, True
In Canada most of our residential energy use is consumed through
a. Space cooling
b. Water healing
c. Space heating
d. Lighting and appliances
When heat is transferred through the macroscopic movement of fluids, the process is called
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Transaction
d. Radiation
When heat is transferred by light being emitted or absorbed, the process is called
a. Transaction
b. Radiation
c. Conduction
d. Convection
When heat is transferred between two objects in contact with each other, the process is called
Conduction
The standard that certifies energy efficient products is called
a. Green Star
b. Energy Star
c. GreenLife
All electric heating systems do not depend on fossil fuels for energy production
False
If a 100W light bulb produces 3W of visible light, 60W of heat, and 37W of invisible radiation,
whats is its efficiency?
3%
Energy efficient light bulbs are about 50% more efficient than standard light bulbs.
False
A heat pump uses electricity
a. To generate heat
b. To burn fuel
c. To run a small compressor
3
