The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
Which of the following is frequently used as a unit of measurement for the energy content of fuels?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
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Correct!
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
In 2008, approximately how much of the oil used in the U.S. was imported?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the U.S. imported about 66% of its oil supply. This percentage is expected to grow even higher over the next two decades.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the U.S. imported about 66% of its oil supply. This percentage is expected to grow even higher over the next two decades.
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Correct!
In 2008, the U.S. imported about 66% of its oil supply. This percentage is expected to grow even higher over the next two decades.
How much of the world's CO2 is released by the United States?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Almost 20% of the world's CO2 is released by the United States.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Almost 20% of the world's CO2 is released by the United States.
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Correct!
Almost 20% of the world's CO2 is released by the United States.
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.
How many commercial coal-fired power plants utilize carbon capture and sequestration practices in 2009?
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Correct!
In 2009, there were no commercial coal-fired plants utilizing carbon capture and sequestration.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2009, there were no commercial coal-fired plants utilizing carbon capture and sequestration.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2009, there were no commercial coal-fired plants utilizing carbon capture and sequestration.
What percentage of America's total energy came from wind in 2008?
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Correct!
In 2008, wind accounted for 0.5% of America's energy portfolio.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, wind accounted for 0.5% of America's energy portfolio.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, wind accounted for 0.5% of America's energy portfolio.
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.
Renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, biofuels, waste, and wood) accounted for what percentage of the total energy supply in the United States in 2008?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Renewable energy accounted for 7% of the total U.S. energy supply in 2008, less than any other type of energy source.
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Correct!
Renewable energy accounted for 7% of the total U.S. energy supply in 2008, less than any other type of energy source.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Renewable energy accounted for 7% of the total U.S. energy supply in 2008, less than any other type of energy source.
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.
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