The National Academies
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
Which of the following is emitted by coal-fired power plants?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted from coal-fired power plants and can be harmful to our health and the environment.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted from coal-fired power plants and can be harmful to our health and the environment.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted from coal-fired power plants and can be harmful to our health and the environment.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted from coal-fired power plants and can be harmful to our health and the environment.
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Correct!
All of the above are emitted from coal-fired power plants and can be harmful to our health and the environment.
Which residential usage consumes the largest amount of energy?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Consuming the largest amount of energy, space heating accounts for 31% of all residential energy used. Space cooling accounts for an additional 12% of energy usage.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Consuming the largest amount of energy, space heating accounts for 31% of all residential energy used. Space cooling accounts for an additional 12% of energy usage.
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Correct!
Consuming the largest amount of energy, space heating accounts for 31% of all residential energy used. Space cooling accounts for an additional 12% of energy usage.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Consuming the largest amount of energy, space heating accounts for 31% of all residential energy used. Space cooling accounts for an additional 12% of energy usage.
What percentage of America's total energy came from wind in 2008?
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Correct!
In 2008, wind accounted for 0.5% of America's energy portfolio.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, wind accounted for 0.5% of America's energy portfolio.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, wind accounted for 0.5% of America's energy portfolio.
What percentage of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006?
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
90% of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
90% of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006.
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Correct!
90% of the coal mined in the United States was used to generate electricity in 2006.
Energy intensity is a measure of:
- The amount of energy used by a nation per unit of GDP
- The amount of energy contained in a given amount of fuel
- The amount of electric current passing through a point
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Correct!
Energy intensity is a measure of a nation's energy efficiency represented through energy use per unit of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Energy intensity is a measure of a nation's energy efficiency represented through energy use per unit of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Energy intensity is a measure of a nation's energy efficiency represented through energy use per unit of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
True or False: Increasing the energy supply is the only answer to a stable energy future.
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Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures is another way to improve our energy situation.
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Correct!
Reducing demand through the improved efficiency of devices and procedures is another way to improve our energy situation.
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.
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.
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.
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- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
An agency within the Department of Energy (DOE) that provides policy-neutral data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policymaking, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment.


