Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Environmental Science > Exam 2 Practice Quizzes/Terms > Flashcards

Exam 2 Practice Quizzes/Terms Flashcards

1
Q

Synfuel?

A

Liquid Fuel

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which of the following is a potential environmental impact of using synfuels for energy?

A

Production of CO2, Use of large amounts of water, and Use of large amounts of land

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

A thick, asphalt-like oil called bitumen is obtained by __________ in Alberta, Canada.

A

Tar Sands Mining

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Surface Mining?

A

Method of extracting minerals near the surface of earth.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Mountaintop Removal?

A

The removal of a mountains top to mine for coal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Hydraulic Fracturing?

A

Injecting water, sand, and/or chemicals into a well to break up rock.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which of the following emissions contributes to acid deposition?

A

NOx and SOx

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Scrubbers in smoke stacks remove large amounts of what major air pollutant?

A

Sulfur Oxides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Which of the following statements regarding fossil fuel formation is NOT true?

A

They are formed in an oxygen-rich environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How has the burning of fossil fuels affected the global carbon cycle?

A

Less carbon is stored underground.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Combustion of which of these fossil fuels is/are linked to global warming?

A

Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the current state of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology for use in coal power plants?

A

CCS technology is being implemented on a small scale and is still very costly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is one of the most destructive types of surface mining for the land itself?

A

Mountaintop Removal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which of these fossil fuels is composed primarily of methane?

A

Natural Gas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Tar Sand Mining?

A

Mined and Processed to extract Bitumen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

The fissionable isotope in uranium ore that’s used as nuclear fuel is:

A

U-235

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

The production of “glass logs” to store high-level liquid radioactive wastes in the United States is called:

A

Vitrification

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

One advantage of conventional nuclear power, when compared to coal, is:

A

Emission of few pollutants

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Nuclear fission?

A

The splitting of a large atom into two smaller atoms of different elements.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

The worst nuclear accident ever to happen at a nuclear power plant occurred at:

A

Chernobyl, Ukraine

21
Q

Nuclear Energy?

A

Involves changes within the nuclei of atoms.

22
Q

Which of the following is NOT a component of a regular nuclear power plant?

A

Combustion Engine.

23
Q

The half-life of a radioactive element is the period of time required

A

For one-half of the total amount of a radioactive substance to change into a different material.

24
Q

High level radioactive wastes?

A

Are produced by nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons facilities.

25
Q

Which of the following is a renewable resource energy technology?

A

Wind Farms, Ethanol, Photovoltaic Solar Cells, and Geothermal Energy.

26
Q

The energy released in the burning of biomass fuels:

A

originated as solar energy, was stored is plant tissues or animal waste as chemical energy, photosynthesis, and is one of the oldest fuels.

26
Q

Photovoltaic cells are:

A

Wafers of crystalline silicon treated with metals that absorb solar radiation and generate electricity.

26
Q

Passive Solar Heating?

A

Distributes the sun’s energy without machines,

27
Q

The burning of biomass, such as wood, is an example of:

A

Indirect use of solar energy.

28
Q

Many sun-tracking mirrors are used to focus sunlight on a central tower boiler to produce steam to drive generators. This best describes:

A

Solar Thermal Electric Generation

29
Q

Which of the following is not an example of a renewable energy source that indirectly uses solar power?

A

Tidal Energy

30
Q

Tidal Energy?

A

Energy produced by the natural rise and fall of tides.

31
Q

Plant material used for fuel is a form of ___________ fuel.

A

biomass.

32
Q

Growing crops specifically for ethanol production would probably result in:

A

increased desertification, soil erosion, pollution by fertilizers and pesticides. A decrease in food production.

33
Q

In North America, which of the following is a common feature of a home designed with passive solar heating?

A

South Facing Windows

34
Q

Coal?

A

Most Abundant, High Sulfur Content,

35
Q

Subsurface Mining

A

Extraction from deep, thick underground deposits. Causes acid mine drainage (water pollution)

36
Q

Reserves?

A

The amount of fuel that is ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE to extract from a deposit using current technology.

37
Q

Peak Oil?

A

The point at which global oil production is at its maximum rate

38
Q

Atomic Number

A

The total number of PROTONS in an Atom

39
Q

Atomic Mass

A

The total number of PROTONS and NEUTRONS in an Atom

40
Q

Isotopes

A

Atoms of the same element that have different number of NEUTRONS (ATOMIC MASS)

41
Q

Chemical Reaction

A

Mass stays the same, mass is NOT converted to energy

42
Q

Nuclear Reaction

A

Mass is slightly lost, mass converted to LARGE amounts of energy

43
Q

How do we control reactions?

A
  1. Limit Amount of Fissionable Uranium (U-235)
  2. Control Rods to Absorb Neutrons
  3. Encase the Reactors in MULTIPLE Layers of Steel and Concrete
  4. Coolant Water
44
Q

Radioactive Decay

A

The emission of these particles from unstable atomic nuclei

45
Q

Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW)

A

Material that has a low level of radiation for its volume, can usually be safely buried

46
Q

High Level Radioactive Waste

A

Spent Fuel Rods and Assemblies, Reactor Water, or Nuclear Weapons Waste that is still HIGHLY radioactive.

Environmental Science (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions