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.
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.
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.
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.
The consumption of energy worldwide is projected to rise by how much between 2006 and 2030?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Worldwide consumption of energy sources is projected to rise by nearly 50% between 2006 and 2030.
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Correct!
Worldwide consumption of energy sources is projected to rise by nearly 50% between 2006 and 2030.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Worldwide consumption of energy sources is projected to rise by nearly 50% between 2006 and 2030.
What is the commonly accepted unit of measurement for electric current—or the amount of an electric charge passing a point per unit time?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The ampere, or amp, is the most commonly used measurement for electric current.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The ampere, or amp, is the most commonly used measurement for electric current.
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Correct!
The ampere, or amp, is the most commonly used measurement for electric current.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The ampere, or amp, is the most commonly used measurement for electric current.
Which of the following is considered an obstacle to cars running on hydrogen fuel cells?
- Cost of fuel cells
- Difficulty storing and transporting hydrogen
- Process of collecting pure hydrogen
- All of the above
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
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Correct!
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
Of the following fossil fuels, which is typically the least expensive for its energy content?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2005, a million Btu of energy from coal cost approximately $2, versus $5 for natural gas and $10 for oil. However, prices can fluctuate due to changes in the economy and new government policies.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2005, a million Btu of energy from coal cost approximately $2, versus $5 for natural gas and $10 for oil. However, prices can fluctuate due to changes in the economy and new government policies.
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Correct!
In 2005, a million Btu of energy from coal cost approximately $2, versus $5 for natural gas and $10 for oil. However, prices can fluctuate due to changes in the economy and new government policies.
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.
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- Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
A colorless, odorless, non-poisonous gas consisting of one carbon and two oxygen atoms. A by-product of fossil fuel combustion and other industrial processes, it is considered a greenhouse gas because it traps heat (infrared energy) radiated from Earth within the atmosphere. For this reason, CO2 is believed to be a major contributor to human-induced climate change.
