Wind Energy Basics

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How is wind energy primarily induced in the atmosphere?

By the uneven heating of Earth's surface by the sun (correct)

By the rotation of the Earth

By the movement of large masses of air from hot to cold regions

By the gravitational pull of the moon

What is the primary function of a windmill?

To generate geothermal power

To convert solar energy into electricity

To extract water from the ground

To convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical work (correct)

What material are the blades of windmills typically made of?

Fiber-reinforced plastic (correct)

Stainless Steel

Aluminum

Copper

Why are windmills classified based on the number of blades they have?

To illustrate design differences (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of wind energy?

Causes pollution to the environment (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of wind energy utilization?

To generate electricity and run water pumps (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the porous nickel material used in the electrodes of a fuel cell?

To allow better contact between gas, electrolyte, and electrode (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to the performance limiting factors of a fuel cell related to reactivity?

Use of catalysts (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main cause of concentration polarization in a fuel cell?

Depletion of reactants at the electrodes (B) Signup and view all the answers

In a fuel cell, what happens to negative oxygen ions from the cathode side?

They enter the electrolyte (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential characteristic for the electrodes of a fuel cell to have high electrode activity?

Corrosion resistance (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of concentrated phosphoric acid in a fuel cell?

To provide a medium for ion transfer between electrodes (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does invariance refer to in relation to the performance of a fuel cell?

Lack of change in cell's performance over time (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of wind energy mentioned in the text?

Cannot produce steady power (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can solar energy be used indirectly?

By using solar photovoltaic cells (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a solar collector in a solar thermal system?

To absorb solar energy and transfer it to a fluid (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the uses of solar energy mentioned for village electrification?

Street lighting (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a solar pond?

To ensure brine water remains at the bottom (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Solar Collector' refer to?

A device to collect solar radiation and transfer absorbed energy to a fluid (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a solar pond, what is the role of the non-convective zone?

To ensure a brine gradient is not disturbed (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does solar energy differ from wind energy based on the text?

Solar energy is available during daytime only (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is solar energy considered cheap according to the provided information?

It is abundantly available and renewable (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of a solar pond over an ordinary pond?

Solar pond technology maintains heated brine water at the bottom due to density difference (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a solar pond electric power plant?

To convert solar radiation into electricity (C) Signup and view all the answers

In a solar water heater system, where is the tank located in relation to the collector?

Above the collector (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of an auxiliary heating system in a water heating system?

To provide heating during cloudy days (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using a solar furnace?

Provides pure heating without contamination (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does a solar furnace have a system of sun tracking?

To direct solar radiation onto a paraboloidal collector (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of passive heating in buildings?

Utilizes convection, radiation, and conduction processes (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a solar passive heating system, why is the south-facing wall made thick with concrete or stones?

To store maximum heat energy from incident solar radiation (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of energy conversion occurs in a fuel cell?

Chemical energy to electrical energy (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it advantageous that a solar furnace provides easy observation of test materials while heating?

(iii) To allow monitoring during experiments (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation associated with using a solar furnace?

High cost of equipment. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of tidal energy?

Difference in water levels between high tides and low tides (A) Signup and view all the answers

In a tidal power plant, what is the role of the reservoir behind an embankment or barrage?

To fill up during high tides and release water through turbines during low tides (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum tidal range required for the working of a tidal power plant?

5 meters (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which mode of operation in a tidal power plant involves power generation during both low and high tides?

Two-way generation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the dam or dyke in a tidal power plant?

To form a barrier between the sea and the reservoir/basin (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why should the site of a tidal power plant not cause interruption to shipping traffic?

To ensure safe navigation for ships (B) Signup and view all the answers

What factor determines the feasibility of a tidal power plant related to silt?

Silt content in water at the tidal site (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the merits of tidal energy mentioned in the text?

Pollution free and adversely affected by variations of weather (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for resistance polarization in a fuel cell?

Movement of ions through the electrolyte (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why can fuel cells be installed near the load point?

To avoid the need for transmission lines (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the waste product when fuel cells operate with hydrogen as fuel?

Water (A) Signup and view all the answers

What causes heavy corrosion of electrodes in a fuel cell, reducing its lifespan?

Degradation of electrodes and electrolyte (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do tides produce potential energy?

Through gravitational attraction of the sun and moon (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the difference in level between high and low tides?

Tidal range (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why does water move from poles to equator in relation to tides?

As a result of gravitational pull from the moon (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the sun's gravitational pull compared to that of the moon?

2.2 times stronger (A) Signup and view all the answers

'Levelling of load' in power plants using fuel cells refers to what process?

Converting power into hydrogen and oxygen gases through electrolysis (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why are fuel cells suitable for providing power in remote areas?

Absence of transmission lines (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the biochemical process involved in converting biomass into biogas?

Hydrolysis (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main benefits of anaerobic digestion mentioned in the text?

Obtaining energy from waste (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of seeding digestion slurry with methane forming bacteria?

To increase anaerobic digestion rate (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of the biochemical conversion process involves the breakdown of complex compounds into simpler soluble compounds?

Hydrolysis of organic matter (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended pH value for the digestion of biomass slurry?

7-8 (A) Signup and view all the answers

In anaerobic digestion, why is neither overloading nor underloading of the digester desirable?

To maintain a balanced microbial ecosystem (C) Signup and view all the answers

'What are the residuals left after the conversion process, and what purpose do they serve?' Which of the following provides the most accurate answer?

'They provide excellent natural fertilizers and humus.' (C) Signup and view all the answers

'What is airtight equipment used for in biogas production?' Which option below best answers this question?

'To favor biogas or methane production' (C) Signup and view all the answers

'What is the primary output of anaerobic and faculative microorganisms during the conversion process?' Which of the following gives the most accurate response?

'Carbon dioxide' (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'feeding supply per day to the digester' refer to?

The loading rate of organic material slurry to the digester daily (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the high transmission cost of power in tidal energy?

Distance of suitable sites from load centers (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of biogas obtained from biomass during anaerobic digestion?

Methane (CH4), Carbon dioxide (CO2) (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor favors the anaerobic digestion or fermentation process of wet biomass by bacteria?

Warmness, wetness, darkness (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the construction period of a dam for a tidal basin take a long time?

Sedimentation in the basin (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary energy source for biogas production?

Biomass (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are anaerobes in the context of biogas production?

Microorganisms that grow in organic matter without air or oxygen (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the supply of power from tidal energy not continuous?

Power output varies with lunar cycle (D) Signup and view all the answers