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?
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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:
-
Correct!
The energy we capture for use on Earth comes largely from the sun or from nuclear forces local to our own planet.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Correct!
Mining coal disturbs the land and modifies the chemistry of rainwater runoff, which in turn affects stream and river water quality.
The United States is home to how many of the world's automobiles?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
With less than 5% of the world's population, the United States is home to one-third of the world's automobiles.
-
Correct!
With less than 5% of the world's population, the United States is home to one-third of the world's automobiles.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
With less than 5% of the world's population, the United States is home to one-third of the world's automobiles.
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
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
-
Correct!
All of the reasons mentioned are considered obstacles to producing cars that run on hydrogen fuel cells.
In 2008, what percentage of the United States' total energy consumption came from oil?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, 37% of the United States' total energy consumption came from oil, more than any other energy source.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2008, 37% of the United States' total energy consumption came from oil, more than any other energy source.
-
Correct!
In 2008, 37% of the United States' total energy consumption came from oil, more than any other energy source.
True or False: Burning biofuels does not release carbon dioxide.
-
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.
-
Correct!
Biofuels contain carbon and although they may burn “cleaner” than oil-derived fuels, they do not avoid generating carbon dioxide emissions.
In the United States, which economic sector releases the most CO2?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In the United States, the transportation sector releases the most CO2. In 2006, the transportation sector released nearly 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, nearly all of which was from oil.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In the United States, the transportation sector releases the most CO2. In 2006, the transportation sector released nearly 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, nearly all of which was from oil.
-
Correct!
In the United States, the transportation sector releases the most CO2. In 2006, the transportation sector released nearly 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, nearly all of which was from oil.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In the United States, the transportation sector releases the most CO2. In 2006, the transportation sector released nearly 2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, nearly all of which was from oil.
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.
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
- Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC)
A process which helps improve the efficiency of natural gas power plants by capturing some of the waste heat given off by the combustion of natural gas in order to turn a steam turbine to generate electricity.


