AP Unit 6 Exam

Which of the following is the approximate projected rate of change in renewable energy consumption from 2010-2040 ?

• a. 4.33 quadrillion B T Us per year
• b. 2.33 quadrillion B T Us per year
• c. 2.00 quadrillion B T Us per year
• d. 0.733 quadrillion B T Us per year

Which of the following statements best describes a difference between nonrenewable and renewable energy sources?

• a. Nonrenewable energy sources release carbon dioxide when used, whereas renewable energy sources do not release carbon dioxide.
• b. Renewable energy sources are often obtained a long distance away from the customer, whereas nonrenewable energy sources are obtained locally.
• c. Renewable energy sources can be replaced naturally at current consumption rates, whereas nonrenewable energy sources cannot be replaced easily.
• d. Renewable energy sources produce energy that can be recycled after use, whereas the energy from nonrenewable energy sources cannot be recycled.

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. Which of the following statements best explains why there is continued widespread use of nonrenewable fossil fuels in energy production in the United States?

• a. Established technology and transportation infrastructure for fossil fuels allows these resources to be converted into energy to meet consumer demand.
• b. Fossil fuels are significantly cheaper than renewable resources, so they do not require government subsidies, which ultimately saves the government money.
• c. The environmental effects of fossil fuels are easy to mitigate, while the environmental effects of renewable resources are difficult to understand and reverse.
• d. Fossil fuels will always be present and are plentiful in quantity, so there is little pressure to find a replacement for them as an energy source.

Based on the data below, approximately how much greater is the average cost of electricity produced in the United States from offshore wind than from hydroelectric power?

• 0.42 times greater
• 0.88 times greater
• 2.3 times greater
• 3.9 times greater

Which of the following is an example of the process of cogeneration?

• a. Using timber waste products as biofuel
• b. Using wastewater from electricity production for heating homes
• c. Using the corn crops for ethanol fuel production
• d. Using the reservoir behind a hydroelectric dam for recreation

The map below shows energy-dependent and energy-independent countries around the world. Which of the following statements about the global distribution and use of fossil fuels is best supported by the data on the map?

• a. Saudi Arabia and Australia produce large volumes of fossil fuels with relatively low energy demand.
• b. The United States produces more fossil fuels than it consumes.
• c. Japan has the greatest energy independence because there are abundant reserves of fossil fuels present in the country.
• d. Russia and Indonesia are reliant on the export of other nations for their fossil fuels.

If a country possesses large oil and gas reserves within its borders, which of the labeled rock types must be present in the underlying geology of the country?

• A
• B
• C
• D

Which of the following best describes an environmental problem that is often linked to the process of fracking?

• a. Fracking operations require large tracts of land, which degrades habitat and harms wildlife.
• b. Fracking can increase stream flow and water volume, disrupting fish migration pathways.
• c. Wastewater from fracking operations is injected into porous rock formations, which can induce seismic activity.
• d. Excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, run off the land near fracking sites, which can lead to large algal blooms in nearby waterways.

A diagram of a pressurized water nuclear reactor is shown below. In the diagram above, which letter correctly identifies the step where kinetic energy is converted to mechanical energy?

• A
• B
• C
• D

Solar energy systems have been increasing the percentage of energy they contributed to the global energy supply. One of the fastest growing types of solar energy systems uses photovoltaic cells. The graph below shows the solar power generated in one day in a country in the Northern Hemisphere in the month of July. Which of the following best describes how a homeowner using an off-the-grid solar system, in the same country as seen in the graph above, can power a home between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM?

• a. Switching to the electrical grid to obtain power
• b. Relying on sources like wind or hydroelectricity in times of darkness
• c. Using excess energy from a sunny day stored in batteries for power
• d. Burning wood to create heat and light for the home.