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.
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.
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.
Which of the following is not a primary energy source?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Electricity is a secondary energy source because it can only be produced from the use of primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear reactions.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Electricity is a secondary energy source because it can only be produced from the use of primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear reactions.
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Correct!
Electricity is a secondary energy source because it can only be produced from the use of primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear reactions.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Electricity is a secondary energy source because it can only be produced from the use of primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear reactions.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Electricity is a secondary energy source because it can only be produced from the use of primary energy sources such as coal, natural gas, or nuclear reactions.
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.
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 renewable energy source contributed the most to the total energy consumed in the United States in 2008?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
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Correct!
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption 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.
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.
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