AP Environmental Science Exam Practice
Questions with Answers
A fuel's net energy yield is correctly defined as - -a comparison between the cost of mining,
processing, and transporting a fuel and the amount of useful energy the fuel generates
-A regular light bulb has an efficiency rating of 3 percent. For every 1 joule of energy that
bulb uses, the amount of energy produced is - -0.03 joules of light
-Methane gas and ethanol are two examples of biogases that are produced in what
process? - -The anaerobic digestion of biomass
-Hybrid car engines have what motor? - -Gasoline and electric powered engines
-What are ways to increase energy efficiency? - -using low volume shower spray heads;
insulating your home thoroughly; switching incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs;
increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles;
-A typical coal-burning power plant uses 4,500 tons of coal per day. Each pound of coal
produces 5,000 BTUs of electrical energy. How many BTUs are produced each day from this
plant? - -4.5 X 10^10
-What produces the least amount of carbon dioxide while generating electricity? - -Wind
turbines
-How much energy, in kWh, is used by a 100 wat computer running for 5 hours? - -0.5
kWh
-Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by - -using the sun's energy to create a flow of
electrons in a material such as silicon
-A sample of radioactive material has a half-life of 20 years. It has an activity of 2 curies.
How many years does it take for the material to have an activity level of .25 curies? - -60
years
-The term vampire appliances correctly refers to appliances that - -consume electricity
even when they are not operating
-All non-renewable resource power plants use heat to - -produce steam to turn electric
generators
-What are some examples of a direct source of groundwater pollution? - -wastewater
lagoons; underground storage tanks; waste injected into deep wells; pesticide sprayed on
the land
Questions with Answers
A fuel's net energy yield is correctly defined as - -a comparison between the cost of mining,
processing, and transporting a fuel and the amount of useful energy the fuel generates
-A regular light bulb has an efficiency rating of 3 percent. For every 1 joule of energy that
bulb uses, the amount of energy produced is - -0.03 joules of light
-Methane gas and ethanol are two examples of biogases that are produced in what
process? - -The anaerobic digestion of biomass
-Hybrid car engines have what motor? - -Gasoline and electric powered engines
-What are ways to increase energy efficiency? - -using low volume shower spray heads;
insulating your home thoroughly; switching incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs;
increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles;
-A typical coal-burning power plant uses 4,500 tons of coal per day. Each pound of coal
produces 5,000 BTUs of electrical energy. How many BTUs are produced each day from this
plant? - -4.5 X 10^10
-What produces the least amount of carbon dioxide while generating electricity? - -Wind
turbines
-How much energy, in kWh, is used by a 100 wat computer running for 5 hours? - -0.5
kWh
-Photovoltaic cells produce electricity by - -using the sun's energy to create a flow of
electrons in a material such as silicon
-A sample of radioactive material has a half-life of 20 years. It has an activity of 2 curies.
How many years does it take for the material to have an activity level of .25 curies? - -60
years
-The term vampire appliances correctly refers to appliances that - -consume electricity
even when they are not operating
-All non-renewable resource power plants use heat to - -produce steam to turn electric
generators
-What are some examples of a direct source of groundwater pollution? - -wastewater
lagoons; underground storage tanks; waste injected into deep wells; pesticide sprayed on
the land
