Environmental Science - Chapter 10 Flashcards
(19 cards)
The process that uses bacteria to break down wet, green biomass and animal waste into methane and CO2 is called
Anaerobic digestion
Which of the following is not considered a renewable energy energy source?
Coal burning plants
On a worldwide basis _________ provides the largest percentage of renewable energy.
biomass
True or False: Fuelwood is the primary energy source for nearly half of the world’s population.
True
Environmental problems associated with geothermal energy include
air pollution, corrosion of pipes, and may be toxic to fish.
What is contained in the steam produced by geothermal energy?
Hydrogen sulfide
A disadvantage of wind-generated energy is that
Wind turbines can be visually displeasing
Wind turbines are noisy
Spinning vanes are dangerous to birds and bats
Geothermal energy works best in regions where
Magma is near Earth’s surface
Explain how dams alter ecosystems and can harm plant and animal life.
The water from the dams can flood vast area of land
Describe the differences between passive solar heating system with active solar heating systems
Active solar heating is when various devices are used to collect energy from the sun.
Passive solar heating is when solar panels allow the sun to generate electricity in buildings.
True or False. Tidal energy development requires that areas be flooded, and people be displaced from their homes.
False
Sources of biomass energy (fuel)
Fuelwood
Municipal and industrial wastes
Agricultural crop residues and animal wastes
energy plantations
passive solar heating system
Light energy is transformed to heat energy when it is absorbed by a surface. They do NOT produce electricity.
Both active solar heating systems and passive solar heating systems
Must face south
A device that produces electricity directly from solar energy is called
A photovoltaic cell
lack of water may prevent construction of a geothermal energy facility in a particular area because
water is used as a steam to turn turbines
What is geothermal energy?
In geologically active areas hot magma moves to the surface and heats water. The hot water can heat buildings or generate electricity through a steam turbine. Wells are drilled to obtain steam trapped underground, and the steam powers electrical generators. The U.S. produces 30% of world’s geothermal electricity.
What are some problems associated with using geothermal energy?
The steam contains hydrogen sulfide gas which ends up smelling like rotten eggs. Minerals in the steam corrode pipes and equipment. The minerals are toxic to fish.
What are the negative impacts of building hydroelectric dams?
- change in the temperature of the water
- silt is trapped behind the dam
- flooding vast areas of land
