17 Questions
What is the major disadvantage of mining coal, apart from its environmental impact?
Major threat to health
What is an advantage of natural gas over coal and oil?
Produces lower levels of many air pollutants
What is a characteristic that defines renewable resources?
Can be replenished in a short period of time
What is one of the main uses of oil in industry?
To power machinery
What is an advantage of geothermal energy?
Unlimited source of cheap energy
Why is energy from the sun considered a renewable resource?
It is replenished in a short period of time
What is a key characteristic of a nonrenewable resource?
It cannot be re-made or re-grown at a scale comparable to its consumption.
What is the primary material used to create energy in nuclear fission?
Uranium
What was the consequence of the mechanical and human errors at the Three Mile Island reactor in 1979?
A partial meltdown, evacuation of 50,000 people, and increased cancer rates due to released radiation.
What are some examples of nonrenewable energy resources?
Oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium
Why is nuclear energy considered a nonrenewable resource?
Because once the uranium is used, it is gone and cannot be re-made or re-grown at a scale comparable to its consumption.
What was the date of the Chernobyl reactor explosion and what was the consequence?
The date was April 26, 1986, and it flung radioactive debris into the atmosphere.
Why are coal, petroleum, and natural gas considered nonrenewable?
They cannot be replenished in a short period of time.
What is a major advantage of coal in the United States?
It contributes to energy independence, with 300 years of reserves.
What is a difference in energy production between oil/natural gas and wood?
Oil and natural gas can provide three times as much energy as an equal mass of wood.
What was the location of the second nuclear disaster mentioned in the text?
Fukushima, Japan.
What is estimated to be the cost of the Chernobyl incident?
Over $358 billion.
Test your knowledge of fossil fuels, including their characteristics, uses, and environmental impacts. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources.
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