The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
True or False: Burning biofuels does not release carbon dioxide.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Biofuels contain carbon and although they may burn “cleaner” than oil-derived fuels, they do not avoid generating carbon dioxide emissions.
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Correct!
Biofuels contain carbon and although they may burn “cleaner” than oil-derived fuels, they do not avoid generating carbon dioxide emissions.
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.
How much carbon dioxide is emitted by the average U.S. car driving one mile?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The average U.S. car gets 21.4 mpg. About 19 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted for every gallon burned, or 0.9 lb/mile.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The average U.S. car gets 21.4 mpg. About 19 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted for every gallon burned, or 0.9 lb/mile.
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Correct!
The average U.S. car gets 21.4 mpg. About 19 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted for every gallon burned, or 0.9 lb/mile.
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.
True or False: Lighting accounts for 18% of all electricity used in the United States.
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Correct!
Lighting accounts for 18% of the electricity used in the United States. A 12% decrease in overall electricity use in buildings could be realized if incandescent bulbs were replaced with CFL or LED bulbs.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Lighting accounts for 18% of the electricity used in the United States. A 12% decrease in overall electricity use in buildings could be realized if incandescent bulbs were replaced with CFL or LED bulbs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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