Net Energy and Fossil Fuels
What is the definition of net energy?
Net energy is the difference between the energy we get from a resource and the energy we use to obtain, process, and use that resource.
True or False: Nuclear fission leads to the release of neutrons which cause a chain reaction that releases energy.
True: Nuclear fission releases neutrons that initiate a chain reaction releasing energy.
True or False: Polyculture increases sustainability by reducing the need for fertilizers and water.
True: Polyculture reduces the need for fertilizers and water by increasing biodiversity and nutrient cycling.
What is one reason for the declining use of coal in the United States?
A major reason for the decline in coal use in the U.S. is lower costs of other fossil fuels like natural gas.
True or False: A disadvantage of the Green Revolution is the intensive use of commercial inorganic fertilizers.
True: The Green Revolution led to the intensive use of commercial inorganic fertilizers, which has environmental costs.
True or False: The nuclear fuel cycle has a high net energy.
False: The nuclear fuel cycle has a low net energy.
Which of the following is most likely to affect the use of nuclear power in the near future?
a) the development of affordable nuclear fusion methods
b) the limited number of new power plants
c) the need to safely store radioactive waste
d) government subsidies and tax breaks
Efforts to minimize the spread of nuclear weapons is most likely to affect nuclear power use in the future.
What is the root cause of food insecurity?
The root cause of food insecurity is poverty
Which energy resource is renewable?
Biomass is a renewable energy resource
What is one of the most significant causes of soil erosion?
The most significant cause of soil erosion is agriculture, particularly when soil is left bare or poorly managed.
What is the main source of commercial energy in the world?
Most of the world’s commercial energy comes from fossil fuels (primarily oil, natural gas, and coal).
What is a spent nuclear fuel rod?
A spent nuclear fuel rod is one that has been removed from a reactor because it no longer efficiently produces energy.
Which agricultural practice is LEAST likely to reduce crop-eating insect damage?
a) Rotating crops
b) Genetic engineering of crops
c) Planting monocultures
d) Planting polycultures
Monoculture farming is the practice LEAST likely to reduce insect damage because it creates a uniform environment favorable to pests.
What is one strategy to make energy resources with low net energy more competitive in the marketplace?
One strategy to make low-net-energy resources more competitive is technology improvements (which reduce costs or improve efficiency).
What agricultural practice is most likely to increase sustainability
The agricultural practice most likely to increase sustainability is planting polycultures because it promotes biodiversity.
Which of the following is most likely to increase U.S. dependence on energy imports?
a) Increased extraction of shale oil
b) More efficient distribution systems
c) Higher market prices for oil
d) Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing
The correct answer is higher market prices for oil. (This increases U.S. dependence on energy imports as demand increases.)
What was a major consequence of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident?
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident led to widespread evacuations due to radiation fears.
Which statement about subsistence farming is true?
Subsistence farming is typically small-scale, with farmers growing food mainly for personal consumption rather than for sale.
What is the primary environmental issue related to coal use?
The primary environmental issue related to coal use is its contribution to air pollution and greenhouse gases.
What is the primary purpose of crop rotation?
Crop rotation helps maintain soil fertility by alternating plant types that use different nutrients.
Which energy resource has the highest net energy?
Oil has the highest net energy of common energy resources.
How do control rods in a nuclear reactor function?
Control rods in a nuclear reactor are used to slow down or speed up reactions by absorbing neutrons.
What proportion of food products in U.S. supermarkets contains genetically engineered crops?
Around 80% of food products sold in U.S. supermarkets contain genetically engineered crops.
What is the world’s most abundant nonrenewable fossil fuel?
Coal is the world's most abundant nonrenewable fossil fuel.
Which of the following is most effective in reducing pesticide use?
a) Poly culture
b) Integrated pest management
c) Organic fertilizers
d) Increased reliance on GMOs
The most effective method to reduce pesticide use is integrated pest management (IPM), which uses biological, physical, and chemical methods to control pests.