The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
Which primary energy source did we depend on the most to generate electricity in the United States in 2008?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the United States depended most on coal to generate electricity. Coal provided approximately 49% of the electricity generated by the United States that year.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the United States depended most on coal to generate electricity. Coal provided approximately 49% of the electricity generated by the United States that year.
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Correct!
In 2008, the United States depended most on coal to generate electricity. Coal provided approximately 49% of the electricity generated by the United States that year.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the United States depended most on coal to generate electricity. Coal provided approximately 49% of the electricity generated by the United States that year.
Which energy sources together account for 84% of the energy used in the United States?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) account for 84% of the energy used in the United States.
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Correct!
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) account for 84% of the energy used in the United States.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) account for 84% of the energy used in the United States.
Which of the following is not considered to be a drawback to wind energy?
- Wind's intermittency
- Aesthetic impact of wind farms
- Risks to birds and bats
- All of the above are considered drawbacks
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
While wind energy has many benefits, all of the above are considered drawbacks to wind energy.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
While wind energy has many benefits, all of the above are considered drawbacks to wind energy.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
While wind energy has many benefits, all of the above are considered drawbacks to wind energy.
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Correct!
While wind energy has many benefits, all of the above are considered drawbacks to wind energy.
How much electricity does an average U.S. household consume each year?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The average U.S. household consumes an average of 10,000 kilowatt-hours each year.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The average U.S. household consumes an average of 10,000 kilowatt-hours each year.
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Correct!
The average U.S. household consumes an average of 10,000 kilowatt-hours each year.
True or False: Burning coal in electric power plants is a major source of CO2 and other emissions. However, its use doesn't have negative consequences beyond the emissions caused by combustion.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Mining coal disturbs the land and modifies the chemistry of rainwater runoff, which in turn affects stream and river water quality.
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Correct!
Mining coal disturbs the land and modifies the chemistry of rainwater runoff, which in turn affects stream and river water quality.
Most of the world's energy originates from which two primary sources:
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Correct!
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
As an automobile fuel, what amount of hydrogen compares with a gallon of gasoline?
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Correct!
A gallon of gasoline contains about the same energy as a kg of hydrogen. Although fuel cells are expected to be twice as efficient as gasoline vehicles, hydrogen is very diffuse and storing an ample supply on board represents an engineering challenge.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
A gallon of gasoline contains about the same energy as 1 kg of hydrogen. Although fuel cells are expected to be twice as efficient as gasoline vehicles, hydrogen is very diffuse and storing an ample supply on board represents an engineering challenge.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
A gallon of gasoline contains about the same energy as 1 kg of hydrogen. Although fuel cells are expected to be twice as efficient as gasoline vehicles, hydrogen is very diffuse and storing an ample supply on board represents an engineering challenge.
Nuclear power provided what percentage of the total U.S. energy supply in 2008?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Nuclear power accounted for 9% of the U.S. energy supply in 2008.
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Correct!
Nuclear power accounted for 9% of the U.S. energy supply in 2008.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Nuclear power accounted for 9% of the U.S. energy supply in 2008.
How much of France's electricity is produced by nuclear power plants?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Nearly 80% of France's electricity is produced by nuclear power plants.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Nearly 80% of France's electricity is produced by nuclear power plants.
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Correct!
Nearly 80% of France's electricity is produced by nuclear power plants.
True or False: Increasing the energy supply is the only answer to a stable energy future.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures is another way to improve our energy situation.
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Correct!
Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures is another way to improve our energy situation.
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