6.5-6.6 Flip-Up

All of the following substances are derived 

from petroleum EXCEPT . . .  

• asphalt

• DDT

• cellulose

• polystyrene

• nylon

One solution for reducing the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide would be to . . .

• increase oceanic temperatures to enhance carbon dioxide uptake

• increase the rate of removal of tropical rainforests

• decrease the total area of rice paddies

• decrease the use of fossil fuels

• decrease the production of chlorofluorocarbons

Which of the following describes an environmental problem that can result from the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity?

• A chemical reaction occurs between the fossil fuel and oxygen to produce energy for the generation of electricity.

• Carbon dioxide is a product of the combustion fossil fuels, and it can lead to global climate change when released into the atmosphere.

• The combustion of fossil fuels can heat water to convert the water into steam to turn turbines that are connected to electrical generators.

• Combustion reactions using fossil fuels require more energy than they produce and are therefore very inefficient.

Which of the following best describes an environmental problem associated with hydrologic fracturing, or fracking?

• Fracking has led to an increase in the production of oil and natural gas, lowering energy prices.

• Fractures in the shale will close up once the fracking fluid is removed unless fine particles, like sand, are introduced to hold them open.

• The products of fracking release more carbon dioxide and sulfur compounds into the atmosphere than other fossil fuels.

• Fracking fluids can escape from the drill hole and contaminate surface water and groundwater.

Extraction of natural gas by the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is most likely to result in which of the following environmental problems? 

• Groundwater contamination

• Ozone depletion

• Eutrophication

• Denitrification

• Desertification

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is the pumping of highly pressurized water with a mixture of sand and chemicals into boreholes to . . . 

• create cracks within the rock in order to provide pathways for the release of gas and oil

• pulverize the rock in order to let gas and oil rise through the soil horizons

• reopen old mine shafts, from which gas and oil can be collected

• create seismic movement and artificial earthquakes in order to liberate gas and oil

• supersaturate the rock with the fracking fluid, which scrubs gas and oil from the rock by abrasion

Which of the following statements correctly explains the role of fossil fuels in the production of energy?

• The combustion of fossil fuels heats water to produce steam, which then turns a turbine.

• The steam released from the combustion of fossil fuels turns a generator, which then powers a turbine.

• The heat released from burning fossil fuels rises and turns a turbine, which then releases carbon dioxide.

• Steam produced from a turbine ignites the fossil fuels, which then powers the generator.

There are various stages in the formation of coal as heat and pressure are increased and moisture content is decreased. These stages, in order, are . . .

• bituminous, peat, lignite, anthracite

• peat, lignite, bituminous, anthracite

• peat, lignite, anthracite, bituminous

• lignite, bituminous, anthracite, peat

• anthracite, bituminous, peat, lignite

Which of the following is most likely to reduce the United States contribution to the increase in concentration of atmospheric CO2?

• Requiring all farming practices to be organic

• Stopping logging in United States forests

• Switching fuel use for residential heating from oil to coal

• Switching from cars and trucks to rail for mass transit and freight movement

• Preventing depletion of stratospheric ozone

Which of the following best describes the conditions under which peat is formed?

• Partially decayed vegetation is placed under low-pressure, aerobic, acidic conditions.

• Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, alkaline conditions.

• Partially decayed vegetation is placed under high-pressure, anaerobic, acidic conditions.

• Partially decayed vegetation is placed under low-pressure, aerobic, alkaline conditions.