Unit 6 Energy
After the Industrial Revolution, the use of fossil fuels increased significantly. Despite the documented environmental effects of these resources and the availability of renewable resources, the use of nonrenewable sources continues. Why?
-Established technology and transportation infrastructure for fossil fuels allows these resources to be converted into energy to meet consumer demand.
-Cheap
-Reliable
Refrigerator AA uses 500 watts per hour when the motor is operating. The motor needs to run an average of 12 hours per day, every day, to stay at a constant, cold temperature. This model of refrigerator lasts an average of 20 years before it needs to be replaced and costs $1,000.
Each kWhkWh of electricity costs $0.12.
How many kilowatt hours (kWhkWh) per year does refrigerator AA use?
2,190kWh
Why would an increased use of large-mesh gill nets for harvesting salmon and trout best reduce the harmful effects of overfishing if it were to be widely adopted by the fishing industry?
Use of large-mesh nets reduces capture of smaller specimens. This technique would reduce the impacts of harvesting fish as fewer unintended species would be caught in the nets.
What is a direct economic consequence that would likely occur if an area of forest was clear-cut so that a housing development can be built?
A decrease in the number of game hunting licenses purchased
What medical field was first taught here in a specilized university?
Dentistry
On average wind powers costs $197/ mwh, while hydro averages $84/ mwh.
Based on the data above, approximately how much greater is the average cost of electricity produced in the United States from offshore wind than from hydroelectric power?
2.3 time greater
Ethanol is an oxygenated fuel, which has oxygen as part of its molecular structure. Ethanol has been added to fuel over the past 20 years and could increase to 98% ethonol in fuel. What do you think is an environmental benefit associated with substituting ethanol for gasoline?
Burning ethanol produces fewer air pollutants than burning gasoline alone.
Various nations have adopted policies designed to combat overfishing. Enforcing minimum-size requirements for the capture of some commercial species is one of these strategies; why does something this simple work?
Minimum-size limits have been placed on species like bluefish and striped bass, which allows fish of a certain size or reproductive age to remain in the population. This helps to keep fish population sizes higher.
What environmental effects would most likely result from the clear-cutting of boreal forests by industrial logging operations?
There will be an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, which will contribute to climate change.
Maryland's population is closest to how many millions of people.
6
Natural gas, a nonrenewable fossil fuel, is often seen as an alternative fuel in the worldwide transition to a renewable energy future.
Explains why natural gas is often used as a fuel when countries are transitioning from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources?
Natural gas burns more efficiently and cleanly than other sources of carbon-based fossil fuels, thus contributing to a reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Describe a potential advantage of using geothermal energy instead of solar farms for power generation?
Geothermal energy can be harnessed without destroying large tracts of habitat, whereas solar farms require large amounts of space.
Aquaculture or fish farming can be used to increase the availability of species like salmon and shrimp for consumption. Although fish farming can have a number of negative environmental effects, it does offer a number of advantages. What is a valid reason for promoting the use of fish farms?
Fish production is constant, and fish farming reduces pressure on wild stocks.
What is a negative consequence when society manufactures and increases the use of synthetic fertilizers rather than organic fertilizers?
-Recycling of organic matter goe down
-energy demand increases
-air pollution increases
-eutrophication increases
State nickname
Old Line State and Free State
Describe why people in less developed countries use wood as a primary energy source
Wood, in the form of firewood and charcoal, is often readily available.
What natural resource is required to convert geothermal energy into electricity?
Groundwater
Why is the burning fossil fuels for energy production an example of an industrial practice that contributes to the tragedy of the commons?
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases and other atmospheric pollutants. This degrades the atmosphere, which is a commons.
What agricultural practice results in soil degradation and most contributes to erosion?
Tilling.
Capital of Maryland
Annapolis
Describe how a homeowner using an off-the-grid solar system, can power a home between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM?
Battery Backup
A hydrogen fuel cell–powered car driving on a highway is different from gasoline-powered cars because hydrogen fuel cell–powered cars only emit...
Water vapor and heat
After intensive logging, most of the trees along a stream have been removed. Which of the following water quality changes would most likely occur downstream after logging?
Increased water temperature
Which of the following describes an unintended consequence that results from large-scale agricultural use of water from an aquifer?
The rate of water use likely exceeds the rate of recharge, leading to lowering the water table.
How many colleges/ universities are in maryland?
55