energy 2

Question 1

What provides most of Alberta’s electricity?

Answer 1

Fossil fuels, especially coal (54%).

Question 2

How are fossil fuels formed?

Answer 2

From ancient plants and animals buried without oxygen, compacted over time with heat and pressure.

Question 3

How is energy released from fossil fuels?

Answer 3

Through combustion, producing CO₂ and water.

Question 4

What gases cause global warming?

Answer 4

CO₂ (from burning fossil fuels) and CH₄ (from cattle, waste, oil & gas)

Question 5

Effects of global warming?

Answer 5

Higher temperatures, melting glaciers, flooding, weather changes, species extinction.

Question 6

Solutions to reduce global warming?

Answer 6

Drive less, replant trees, use clean energy, capture carbon.

Question 7

What is the heat of reaction?

Answer 7

Energy change in a chemical reaction (ΔrH).

Question 8

Difference between exothermic and endothermic?

Answer 8

Exothermic releases heat (ΔrH negative); endothermic absorbs heat (ΔrH positive).

Question 9

Steps in a coal-fired plant?

Answer 9

Burn coal → heat water → steam spins turbine → generator makes electricity

Question 10

Advantages of coal?

Answer 10

Cheap, available, high energy, reliable.

Question 11

Disadvantages of coal?

Answer 11

Nonrenewable, pollutes air sulfurx, CO₂, mercury), environmental damage.

Question 12

What is reclamation?

Answer 12

Restoring land after mining to usable condition.

Question 13

Renewable energy sources?

Answer 13

Solar, wind, water, tidal, geothermal, biomass

Question 14

Non-renewable energy sources?

Answer 14

Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear

Question 15

What is ozone depletion

Answer 15

Damage to ozone layer by CFCs, allowing UV rays to reach Earth.

Question 16

What are ionizing vs non-ionizing radiation?

Answer 16

Ionizing (gamma, alpha, beta) can damage cells; non-ionizing (radio, microwave) can’t.

Question 17

What happens to unstable isotopes?

Answer 17

They decay, releasing energy and forming new atoms.

Question 18

What is nuclear fusion?

Answer 18

Atoms combine to release energy (in stars). Not yet usable on Earth

Question 19

What is nuclear fission?

Answer 19

A large atom (like uranium) splits and releases energy

Question 20

What is a CANDU reactor?

Answer 20

A Canadian nuclear reactor using uranium and heavy water.

Question 21

What does CO₂ and CH₄ cause?

Answer 21

Global warming.

Question 22

What is geothermal energy?

Answer 22

Heat from Earth’s core, used to generate electricity.

Question 23

What do NOx and SOx cause?

Answer 23

Acid deposition (acid rain).

Question 24

How is tidal energy used?

Answer 24

Moving tides (caused by moon) turn turbines to make electricity

Question 25

What is a hydrogen fuel cell?

Answer 25

Uses hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, like a clean battery.

Question 26

What is passive solar energy?

Answer 26

Sunlight used without machines (e.g., greenhouses).

Question 27

: What is active solar energy?

Answer 27

Devices like solar panels turn sunlight into electricity or heat.

Question 28

How does hydroelectric energy work?

Answer 28

Sun powers water cycle → water flows down → spins turbine → electricity.

Question 29

Where is wind energy good in Alberta?

Answer 29

Southern Alberta, near the Rocky Mountains.

Question 30

What is biomass energy?

Answer 30

Burning plants or animal waste to release energy or make biofuels.