The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
In 2008, of the four economic sectors, which used the most energy in the United States?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, industry used 31% of the total energy used; next was transportation at 28%, then residential at 22%, and commercial at 19%.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, industry used 31% of the total energy used; next was transportation at 28%, then residential at 22%, and commercial at 19%.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, industry used 31% of the total energy used; next was transportation at 28%, then residential at 22%, and commercial at 19%.
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Correct!
In 2008, industry used 31% of the total energy used; next was transportation at 28%, then residential at 22%, and commercial at 19%.
What percentage of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
90% of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
90% of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006.
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Correct!
90% of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006.
Which of the following sources do experts expect will provide us with the “silver bullet” solution to our energy needs?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
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Correct!
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
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.
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.
America, with 5% of the planet's population, consumes how much of the world's total energy?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
With 5% of the planet's population, the United States uses 20% of the world's total energy.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
With 5% of the planet's population, the United States uses 20% of the world's total energy.
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Correct!
With 5% of the planet's population, the United States uses 20% of the world's total energy.
What percentage of U.S. electricity was generated by wind in 2008?
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Correct!
Almost 1% of U.S. electricity was generated by wind in 2008.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Almost 1% of U.S. electricity was generated by wind in 2008.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Almost 1% of U.S. electricity was generated by wind in 2008.
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.
About 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to what use?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
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Correct!
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
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