Questions and Answers
What is the primary characteristic of non-renewable resources?
Which fossil fuel is primarily formed from the remains of large quantities of microscopic aquatic organisms?
What conditions are essential for the formation of fossil fuels?
What is the correct sequence of coal formation from vegetation?
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What is the primary component of natural gas?
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Which type of coal is considered to be a form of metamorphic rock?
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What process transforms organic material into fossil fuels?
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Which of the following best describes geothermal energy?
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What is the main function of impermeable rock in the oil extraction process?
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Which temperature range indicates the capability for electricity generation using geothermal energy?
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What is the role of a step-up transformer?
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In a flash steam power plant, what triggers the creation of steam?
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Which of the following geothermal energy power plant types pipes hot steam directly into turbines?
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What does the efficiency of hydroelectric energy generation primarily depend on?
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Which type of geothermal energy power plant uses a second liquid in the heat exchange process?
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Which of the following statements about geothermal energy is accurate?
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What is the primary component of soil composition?
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Which layer of soil contains mainly organic material such as humus?
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What factor does NOT significantly influence soil formation?
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Which of the following is primarily collected in the porous rock below the Earth’s surface?
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Which horizon in soil is characterized by leached materials and organic matter?
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What term refers to the living skin of the Earth encompassing soil?
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What is NOT a function of soil?
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Which type of water is derived from the hydrologic cycle and is considered a main source of water?
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What is the primary factor that determines the rate of power generation in a hydroelectric power plant?
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In hydroelectric power generation, what happens to the potential energy of water when it flows down through the penstock?
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What function does the transformer serve after electricity generation in a hydroelectric power plant?
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Which type of hydroelectric power facility only uses the water flowing from a river without any storage capacity?
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What is the significance of a high head in hydroelectric power generation?
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What percentage of Earth's water is considered freshwater?
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What distinguishes pumped storage facilities from traditional hydroelectric facilities?
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Which of the following is NOT a use of water for humans?
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What is the primary consequence of overusing fertilizers in agricultural practices?
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Which soil conservation method prevents rapid surface runoff of water by utilizing unique topography?
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How does no-till farming contribute to soil health?
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Which practice helps improve soil structure and fertility by growing a series of different crops?
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Why is maintaining soil pH crucial for soil health?
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What is a benefit of promoting indigenous crops?
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Which of the following practices can help combat soil erosion caused by wind?
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What adverse effect can excessive accumulation of salts in the soil cause?
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Study Notes
Earth Resources
- Resources are items utilized for specific purposes.
Renewable Resources
- Can be replenished or regenerated on a human scale.
- Examples include geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, and biomass.
Non-Renewable Resources
- Cannot be replenished on a human scale.
- Key examples are nuclear energy and fossil fuels.
Fossil Fuels
- Non-renewable energy resource derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals.
- Formed millions of years ago under specific conditions: temperature, pressure, and low oxygen environments.
- Main types of fossil fuels include coal, oil (petroleum), and natural gas.
Coal
- A black, combustible rock made primarily of carbon.
- Created from the remains of ancient vegetation in swamps over millions of years.
- Formation process: Peat → Lignite → Bituminous → Anthracite.
Petroleum (Oil)
- Naturally occurring liquid composed of complex hydrocarbons.
- Derived from microscopic aquatic organisms, such as algae and plankton.
- Kerogen formation as a waxy precursor to oil.
Natural Gas
- Composed mainly of methane, a key hydrocarbon.
- Originates from the decomposition of zooplankton, phytoplankton, and microbes.
Fossil Fuel Formation Process
- Initial death of organisms → Stratification → Transformation into fossil fuels under temperature and pressure.
Geothermal Energy
- Energy generated from heat beneath the Earth's surface, sourced from primordial or radiogenic heat.
- Indicators include volcanic activity, hot springs, and geysers.
- Temperature testing ranges from 50–60°F for household use to 300–700°F for power plants.
Types of Geothermal Power Plants
- Dry Steam: Uses hot steam directly to power turbines.
- Flash Steam: Converts hot water into steam through temperature decrease.
- Binary Cycle: Uses a heat exchanger to heat a second liquid for steam creation.
Hydroelectric Energy
- Conversion of flowing water into electrical energy.
- Efficiency relies on both water volume and height of the water source.
- Types of facilities: Impoundment, Pumped Storage, Run-of-River.
Electricity Generation Process in Hydroelectric Plants
- Reservoir storage converts water's potential energy into kinetic energy through gravity.
- Water drives turbines to generate mechanical energy, which is then converted to electrical energy.
Water Resources
- Sources beneficial to humans include surface water (saline and freshwater) and groundwater.
- Freshwater constitutes less than 1% of global water, most found in lakes, rivers, and underground sources.
Soil Composition
- Composed of 45% minerals, 25% air, 25% water, and 5% organic materials (humus, roots).
Soil Horizons
- Different layers include O (organic), A (topsoil), E (eluviation), B (subsoil), C (parent rock), and R (bedrock).
Soil Formation Factors
- Influenced by climate, topography, plant and animal life, and parent material chemistry.
Functions of Soil
- Acts as an engineering medium, supports plant growth, modifies the atmosphere, provides habitat, and recycles nutrients.
Fertilizers
- Natural or synthetic substances added to soil to enhance nutrient content, but overuse can lead to eutrophication.
Eutrophication
- Nutrient enrichment in water bodies can cause harmful algal blooms.
Human Impact on Soil
- Practices like farming, construction, and waste disposal contribute to soil health degradation.
Soil Conservation Practices
- Tree planting, terracing, no-till farming, contour farming, crop rotation, maintaining soil pH, watering, salinity management, promoting beneficial organisms, and growing indigenous crops enhance soil quality and prevent erosion.
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Description
Test your knowledge on various earth resources, distinguishing between renewable and non-renewable types. This quiz will cover different energy sources, including fossil fuels and renewable alternatives like solar and wind. Understand the impact of these resources on our environment and future.
