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Energy Basics
Fossil Fuels
Nuclear Energy
Renewable Energy
Wildcard
100
This law states that as energy is converted into another form, some of it is lost as heat.
What is the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
100

Which of the three fossil fuels produces the most pollution in the form of particulate matter?

What is Coal?
100

This is the name of the metal used as an energy resource for nuclear reactors.

What is uranium-235? 

100
This type of energy source is directly converted into electricity by photovoltaic cells.
What is sunlight? (Also will accept solar energy or solar power)
100

This country has the largest proven coal reserves.

What is the United States? 

200
This is an appropriate unit used to measure a nuclear power plant's power output.
What are Megawatts? (any derivative of Watts is acceptable here, with the exception of kWh, which is a unit of energy)
200

When fossil fuels are burned, this molecule is emitted into the air which results in negative environmental consequences.

What is carbon dioxide (CO2)? What is sulfur dioxides/sulfur trioxides (SOx)?

200
This is one example of an environmental problem associated with the use of nuclear power to generate electricity.
What is disposal of radioactive waste? What is thermal pollution? What is the potential for accidents/meltdowns? (all are acceptable)
200

Name the main disadvantage of hydroelectric dams.

Interrupts the flow of rivers and can harm the local aquatic ecosystem.

200

This is an example of a greenhouse gas.

What is methane (CH4)? What is carbon dioxide (CO2)? Will also accept CFCs or water vapor.

300

Give one reason why some countries support the use of fossil fuels for their energy needs.

Infrastructure is there, renewable sources may be limited, technical expertise may be limited, inexpensive

300
This is the type of coal that has the highest sulfur content
What is Bituminous coal?
300

Classify nuclear energy as renewable or non-renewable.

What is non-renewable?

300

Name two disadvantages of using solar energy.  

Expense of installation/cells, geographical/climatic limitations, require large area of land, efficiency is comparatively poor

300

What are the top two renewables?

What are wind and hydroelectric? 

400
This is the approximate percent efficiency of an average coal-fired power plant.
What is 30%? (Any percentage up to and including 30% and 40% is acceptable)
400
Currently proven global reserved of this fossil fuel are expected to be largely exhausted within the next 50 years.
What is oil?
400

What is nuclear fission?

What is the process where the nucleus of an atom splits into several smaller fragments?

400
The electrolysis of water is used to practically produce the following gas, which can be used as an alternative fuel for on-road vehicles.
What is Hydrogen gas?
400

What carbon-based materials found in the Earth’s crust, are a potent, though finite, source of energy?

What are Fossil Fuels? 

500

What major environmental impact (other than atmospheric issues) is associated with fossil fuels?

Mining and extraction causes local environmental damage.

500
This is how burning natural gas like methane gets converted into electricity.
What is burn the gas --> heat water --> create steam --> turn a turbine --> run a generator --> produce electricity?
500

Why is the ability to do work in nuclear reactions is much greater than from the burning of fossil fuels?

The extremely high energy density of uranium-235.

500

Name two disadvantages of wind energy.

Limited to certain regions with sufficient wind, wind is variable from day to day, efficiency needs to be improved

500
This is a type of renewable energy source that is NOT derived directly or indirectly from solar energy.
What is geothermal energy?