The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about 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.
Most of the world's energy originates from which two primary sources:
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Correct!
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
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.
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: 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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