The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
About 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to what use?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
-
Correct!
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Roughly 21% of the electricity used in residential and commercial buildings goes to lighting.
Which renewable energy source contributed the most to the total energy consumed in the United States in 2008?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
-
Correct!
Out of all the renewable energy sources, biomass contributed the most to U.S. energy consumption in 2008.
Which of the following sources do experts expect will provide us with the “silver bullet” solution to our energy needs?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
-
Correct!
There is no silver bullet. Tomorrow’s energy, like today’s, will come from a variety of sources.
True or False: Increasing the energy supply is the only answer to a stable energy future.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures is another way to improve our energy situation.
-
Correct!
Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures is another way to improve our energy situation.
Which energy sources together account for 84% of the energy used in the United States?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) account for 84% of the energy used in the United States.
-
Correct!
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) account for 84% of the energy used in the United States.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Fossil fuels (petroleum, natural gas, and coal) account for 84% of the energy used in the United States.
How much electricity does an average U.S. household consume each year?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The average U.S. household consumes an average of 10,000 kilowatt-hours each year.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The average U.S. household consumes an average of 10,000 kilowatt-hours each year.
-
Correct!
The average U.S. household consumes an average of 10,000 kilowatt-hours each year.
Which of the following is frequently used as a unit of measurement for the energy content of fuels?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
-
Correct!
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The British Thermal Unit, or Btu, is frequently used as a measure for energy content of fuels. One gallon of gasoline contains about 124,000 Btu.
America, with 5% of the planet's population, consumes how much of the world's total energy?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
With 5% of the planet's population, the United States uses 20% of the world's total energy.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
With 5% of the planet's population, the United States uses 20% of the world's total energy.
-
Correct!
With 5% of the planet's population, the United States uses 20% of the world's total energy.
How much of the U.S. supply of natural gas is imported from outside North America?
-
Correct!
Less than 2% of the U.S. supply of natural gas is imported from outside North America.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Less than 2% of the U.S. supply of natural gas is imported from outside North America.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Less than 2% of the U.S. supply of natural gas is imported from outside North America.
Thank you for taking our quiz.
Place this badge on your facebook page to show your friends what you know about energy.
Place this badge on your facebook page to show your friends what you know about energy.
OR, get a higher score to unlock a different badge.
Place this badge on your facebook page to show your friends what you know about energy.
OR, get a higher score to unlock a different badge.
Explore Other Topics
Energy Hands-on
Understanding Efficiency
Learn the significance of energy efficiencyOur Energy System
A visualization of all our energy sourcesEnergy Defined
- Ampere
A unit of measure for electric current that refers to the amount of electric charge passing a point per unit of time. Ampere is frequently abbreviated to “amp.”


