Energy Resources and Consumption Flashcards
6 cards from real Environmental Science practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Energy Resources and Consumption flashcards as text
Which greenhouse gas has the highest global warming potential (GWP) over a 100-year timeframe among those listed?
Answer: Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
SF6 has a GWP of approximately 23,500 over 100 years, far exceeding CO2 (1), CH4 (~28), and N2O (~265).
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity is primarily used to:
Answer: Store excess electricity by pumping water uphill and releasing it when demand peaks
Pumped storage is the largest form of grid-scale energy storage: excess electricity pumps water to an upper reservoir; releasing it generates power during peak demand.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) has raised environmental concerns primarily related to:
Answer: Groundwater contamination, induced seismicity, and methane leakage
Fracking injects high-pressure fluid into rock; concerns include well casing failures contaminating aquifers, disposal-well-induced earthquakes, and fugitive methane emissions.
The capacity factor of a power plant refers to:
Answer: The ratio of actual energy produced to the maximum possible energy over a period
Capacity factor = (actual energy output) / (maximum possible output at rated capacity) x 100%. It indicates how often a plant runs at full power.
What is the primary advantage of passive solar home design over active solar systems?
Answer: Passive design uses architectural features rather than mechanical equipment, reducing maintenance and cost
Passive solar design uses building orientation, insulation, thermal mass, and window placement to capture solar heat without pumps, fans, or electrical equipment.
Geothermal energy is most economically viable in regions:
Answer: Located close to tectonic plate boundaries or volcanic hot spots
High geothermal gradients near plate boundaries and volcanic areas (Iceland, Philippines, Kenya, western U.S.) bring heat close enough to the surface for economical extraction.