The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about 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.
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.
Which source(s) of energy are not nuclear in origin?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Tidal energy is gravitational in origin. Solar energy comes from nuclear reactions in the sun.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Tidal energy is gravitational in origin. Geothermal energy comes from radioactive decay inside the earth.
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Correct!
Tidal energy is gravitational in origin. Solar energy comes from nuclear reactions in the sun, and geothermal energy comes from radioactive decay inside the earth.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Tidal energy is gravitational in origin. Solar energy comes from nuclear reactions in the sun, and geothermal energy comes from radioactive decay inside the earth.
True or False: U.S. domestic production of crude oil has declined since around 1970.
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Correct!
U.S. domestic production of crude oil peaked around 1970 at about 9.5 million barrels per day (MBD) and declined to about 5.1 MBD by 2006.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
U.S. domestic production of crude oil peaked around 1970 at about 9.5 million barrels per day (MBD) and declined to about 5.1 MBD by 2006.
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.
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.
In 2008, approximately how much energy did the United States use?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the United States used approximately 99.2 quads. One quad is about as much total energy as the city of Chicago requires in one year.
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Correct!
In 2008, the United States used approximately 99.2 quads. One quad is about as much total energy as the city of Chicago requires in one year.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, the United States used approximately 99.2 quads. One quad is about as much total energy as the city of Chicago requires in one year.
Which of the following energy sources is not used to generate electricity in the United States?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Oil, biofuels, natural gas, and coal are all used to generate electricity in the United States.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Oil, biofuels, natural gas, and coal are all used to generate electricity in the United States.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Oil, biofuels, natural gas, and coal are all used to generate electricity in the United States.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Oil, biofuels, natural gas, and coal are all used to generate electricity in the United States.
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Correct!
Oil, biofuels, natural gas, and coal are all used to generate electricity in the United States.
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.
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