Renewable Energy Quiz - Wind and Solar Power

The Wilderness Act of 1964 designates certain federal lands as wilderness areas, affording the highest level of environmental protection. It emphasizes that humans are visitors in these areas and the natural ecosystem should remain undisturbed.

An ethical perspective that values the well-being of entire ecosystems, including living and non-living components. It considers the nitrogen cycle as important as the people and animals in a savanna.

The amount of a substance required to kill 50% of a test population. This threshold can vary depending on the chemical in question.

The ability of a substance to persist in the environment without breaking down. Chemicals with high persistence remain in the environment for a long time.

Chemicals that resist breakdown through chemical reactions, biological processes, or sunlight exposure. Examples include DDT and PCBs.

The spread of urban development outward from city centers, characterized by low-density housing, car dependency, and sprawling infrastructure.

Urban design features that mimic natural ecosystem processes to provide environmental benefits. Examples include rooftop gardens and rain gardens.

A type of urban planning that focuses on creating walkable, livable neighborhoods with reduced reliance on automobiles. Features include tree-lined streets and grid patterns.

Physical structures like roads, buildings, and parking lots that support urban life.

The shift of populations from rural areas to urban areas.

A densely populated area with a majority of residents working in non-agricultural jobs.

Opposite of an urban area, with a lower population density and a reliance on agriculture.

The negative health effects associated with living in an urban environment, such as higher crime rates and disease.

The number of residents per unit of space in an urban area.

When the cost per person for services decreases as the number of people using the service increases.

Urban areas with substandard housing, lacking proper ownership, services, and high poverty rates.

The perception that cities offer more opportunities, excitement, and freedom.

Small businesses operating outside of formal regulation and taxation.

Wind turbines can harm birds and bats by striking them during flight.

Wind power is dependent on wind speed and direction, which are constantly changing. This makes it difficult to predict and rely on for consistent electricity generation.

Microgrids can generate power from multiple sources, such as solar, wind, and batteries, depending on the specific installation.

During a disruption to the main power grid, microgrids can prioritize vital facilities like hospitals, ensuring their continued operation.

Large dams used for hydropower impact river ecosystems and flood large areas of land, potentially displacing communities and altering natural habitats.

Manufacturing solar panels involves using hazardous chemicals, such as heavy metals and acids, which can pose environmental and health risks if not handled correctly.

Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste, which is highly dangerous and requires careful management and disposal.

Fuel-cell EVs produce only water as an emission, making them much cleaner than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

Energy sources that are alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, like coal and oil.

A machine that uses flowing air to turn large blades, which in turn power a generator and create electricity.

A power source with generating capacity that changes according to the time of day, weather conditions, or other factors.

A panel that produces an electric charge when it is exposed to sunlight.

A solar power technology that captures heat using huge mirrors to focus sunlight toward liquid-filled pipes or a centrally located "power tower."

The most common large-scale energy storage technology that uses electricity to pump water uphill when energy is plentiful, and releases water downhill to generate electricity when energy is scarce.

A renewable fuel source made from plant materials like corn or sugarcane.

A type of hydroelectric power that generates electricity from the flow of water in dams.

A hazardous residue produced by coal-fired power plants.

The process of injecting a mixture of water, sand, and chemicals into a well to release oil or gas.

The practice of removing material above coal deposits to access the coal underneath.

A process that condenses carbon dioxide and injects it underground to force oil deposits to the surface.

A device used to extract oil or gas from the earth.

A process involving capturing carbon dioxide exhaust from power plants and injecting it underground.

The site where extracted coal is crushed and washed.

The use of living organisms to produce energy.

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of ancient living organisms, primarily plants and microscopic animals that lived millions of years ago.

Hydrocarbons are carbon-based molecules that are the building blocks of oil and natural gas. They formed from ancient organisms that used sunlight for energy.

Oil is a liquid fossil fuel that formed from marine organisms that died and were buried under sediment. It is rich in hydrocarbons.

Natural gas is a gaseous fossil fuel that formed alongside oil from ancient organisms. It contains mostly methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Coal is a solid fossil fuel formed from ancient plant matter that was buried and compressed over millions of years. It is rich in carbon.

Reserves refer to the known and economically recoverable amounts of fossil fuels. They are classified as conventional (easy) or unconventional (difficult) based on extraction methods.

Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources because their rate of formation is much slower than the rate at which we extract and use them.

Fossil fuels have been used for centuries, primarily starting with wood and then transitioning to coal, oil, and natural gas. They are now the dominant energy source for our modern lifestyle.