AP Environmental Science Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption Practice Exam

Assessment for Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Estimated Time: 60 minutes

Exam Details

Questions: 36 total (35 multiple choice, 1 short answer)
Time: 60 minutes (recommended)
Topics Covered: Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
Format: Multiple Choice, Short Answer questions matching real exam difficulty
Scoring: Instant results with detailed explanations

A. Multiple-Choice Questions (35 Questions)

Select the one best answer for each question.

1. **1.** [Skill: 2A | Topic: 6.1] A city energy report summarizes several energy sources in the table below. | Energy source | Typical replacement/formation time in nature | Typical human use rate | Notes | |---|---:|---:|---| | Coal | millions of years | high (daily electricity generation) | mined from underground deposits | | Wind | continual (driven by atmospheric processes) | high (electricity generation when available) | requires turbines | | Uranium-235 | fixed geologic supply; not replenished on human timescales | moderate (nuclear fuel cycles) | mined and enriched | | Sunlight | continual | high (solar panels) | intermittent daily/seasonally | Based on the information in the table, which pair correctly matches each resource to its classification?

(A)Coal and uranium-235 are nonrenewable; wind and sunlight are renewable(B)Coal and wind are nonrenewable; uranium-235 and sunlight are renewable(C)Coal and sunlight are nonrenewable; wind and uranium-235 are renewable(D)Coal, wind, uranium-235, and sunlight are all renewable because they can all generate electricity

2. **2.** [Skill: 3B | Topic: 6.1] A regional policy brief states: > “The county will label wood pellets used for heating as a renewable energy source because they come from trees, which can regrow. However, the county’s pellet demand has increased rapidly, and local logging rates now exceed the average rate of forest regrowth.” Which of the following is the best interpretation of the brief in terms of classifying energy resources as renewable or nonrenewable?

(A)Wood pellets are always nonrenewable because burning any fuel permanently destroys energy(B)Wood pellets can be renewable, but if harvesting occurs faster than regrowth, the resource is effectively nonrenewable at that scale(C)Wood pellets are nonrenewable because they were formed millions of years ago(D)Wood pellets are renewable as long as the trees are replanted, regardless of how quickly they are harvested

Refer to the figure below.

3. **3.** [Skill: 2B | Topic: 6.1] A researcher modeled the availability of two energy sources over 80 years. The model output is shown in the graph. [Image Cue]: Line graph, "Modeled Availability of Two Energy Sources Over Time"; x-axis = Time (years) 0 to 80; y-axis = Remaining available supply (% of initial). Source X declines steadily from 100% at year 0 to about 10% by year 80 (no replenishment). Source Y remains near 100% across the entire period (replenished at approximately the rate of use). Which conclusion is best supported by the model?

(A)Source X is renewable because it is consumed slowly, and Source Y is nonrenewable because it is used continuously(B)Source X is nonrenewable because it exists in a fixed amount and is not replenished on human timescales, while Source Y is renewable because it is replenished near the rate of consumption(C)Both sources are renewable because both can be used for many decades(D)Both sources are nonrenewable because all energy sources eventually run out

4. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 6.10] A student creates a simplified flowchart of how a geothermal power plant generates electricity. Which of the following sequences correctly represents the process of generating electricity from geothermal energy? [Image Cue]: Flowchart/diagram, "Geothermal Electricity Generation", boxes connected by arrows showing steps; include steps such as "Heat from Earth’s interior warms groundwater", "Hot water/steam rises to surface through wells", "Steam turns turbine", "Turbine drives generator", and "Electricity sent to grid".

(A)Heat from Earth’s interior heats underground water; steam is brought to the surface; steam spins a turbine connected to a generator.(B)Sunlight heats surface rocks; rocks transfer heat to underground water; electricity is produced directly from heated water without moving parts.(C)Underground water is electrolyzed to form hydrogen fuel; hydrogen is burned to spin a turbine connected to a generator.(D)Geothermal heat is used to power a condenser that liquefies steam; the liquid water then spins a turbine connected to a generator.

5. [Skill: 4A | Topic: 6.10] A county is considering replacing a coal-fired power plant with a geothermal power plant. Engineers provide the emissions data below. Emissions (grams per kilowatt-hour, g/kWh) - Coal plant: $CO_2$ = 950, $H_2S$ = 0 - Geothermal plant: $CO_2$ = 45, $H_2S$ = 2 Which environmental concern is most directly supported by the data for the geothermal power plant?

(A)Increased carbon dioxide emissions leading to greater global climate change(B)Potential release of hydrogen sulfide gas, which can cause local air-quality and odor problems(C)Production of high-level radioactive waste requiring long-term storage(D)Large releases of mercury from fuel combustion into the atmosphere

6. [Skill: 6A | Topic: 6.10] A developing nation has significant electricity demand growth. A proposal recommends geothermal electricity because it can operate with low greenhouse gas emissions. However, the nation’s energy ministry notes that only a few regions have accessible high-temperature groundwater, and drilling deep wells would require major upfront investment. Which statement best justifies why geothermal power is not widely used in many parts of the world?

(A)Geothermal power plants require continuous deliveries of mined fuel, which many regions cannot afford to import.(B)Geothermal energy can only be used for transportation fuels and cannot generate electricity.(C)Accessing geothermal energy can be prohibitively expensive, and usable resources are not easily accessible in many locations.(D)Geothermal power generation always produces more greenhouse gas emissions than coal because it uses underground steam.

7. **1. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.11]** A city transit agency is piloting buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Engineers describe the fuel cell as a system that takes hydrogen gas stored on the bus and oxygen from the air and produces electricity to run an electric motor. Which of the following best identifies the primary chemical product (emission) of the fuel cell during operation and the type of energy conversion taking place?

(A)Carbon dioxide is emitted, and chemical energy is converted to thermal energy through combustion.(B)Water is produced, and chemical energy is converted directly to electrical energy through an electrochemical process.(C)Methane is emitted, and electrical energy is converted to chemical energy through electrolysis.(D)Nitrogen oxides are emitted, and chemical energy is converted to mechanical energy through internal combustion.

Refer to the figure below.

8. **2. [Skill: 4.A | Topic: 6.11]** A student compares life-cycle $CO_2$ emissions (including fuel production) for three vehicle energy pathways. [Image Cue]: Bar graph, "Life-Cycle CO2 Emissions by Vehicle Fuel Pathway"; y-axis: "Life-cycle CO2 emissions (g $CO_2$ per km)"; x-axis categories: "Gasoline ICE", "Hydrogen fuel cell (H2 from electrolysis using wind/solar)", "Hydrogen fuel cell (H2 from steam methane reforming)". Key trend: Gasoline is highest; H2 from wind/solar is near zero; H2 from steam methane reforming is intermediate (lower than gasoline but clearly above zero). Which of the following best explains the pattern shown in the graph?

(A)Hydrogen fuel cells always produce zero $CO_2$ over their full life cycle because the only emission during operation is water.(B)Life-cycle $CO_2$ emissions from hydrogen fuel cells depend on how the hydrogen is produced; producing hydrogen from water using renewable electricity can result in very low $CO_2$ emissions.(C)Steam methane reforming produces no $CO_2$ because methane contains more hydrogen than carbon, so the process mainly generates water.(D)Gasoline vehicles have the highest life-cycle $CO_2$ emissions mainly because oxygen from the air is the source of the carbon in $CO_2$.

9. **3. [Skill: 5.A | Topic: 6.11]** A researcher evaluates an electricity-to-electricity pathway in which renewable electricity is used to produce hydrogen gas from water, and the hydrogen is later used in a fuel cell to generate electricity. For a particular system, producing and compressing enough hydrogen to power a fuel cell requires 60 kWh of electrical energy input. When that hydrogen is used in the fuel cell, the fuel cell produces 35 kWh of electrical energy output. Which of the following best supports an environmental or economic challenge associated with this hydrogen fuel pathway?

(A)The pathway violates conservation of energy because it produces more electrical energy than it consumes.(B)The overall efficiency is about 58%, indicating substantial energy loss; additional energy is still needed to create the hydrogen gas used in the fuel cell.(C)Because water is produced by the fuel cell, the overall efficiency must be 100% and the process requires no energy input to make hydrogen.(D)The pathway cannot reduce greenhouse gas emissions because fuel cells release large amounts of $CO_2$ during operation.

10. 1. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.12] A utility company installs a modern wind turbine connected to a generator and the electrical grid. During operation, moving air causes the turbine blades to rotate, and electricity is delivered to nearby homes. Which of the following best describes the sequence of energy transformations that occurs when electricity is generated from wind?

(A)Kinetic energy of moving air is converted to mechanical energy in the spinning turbine, which is converted to electrical energy in the generator.(B)Chemical energy stored in the turbine blades is converted to kinetic energy of moving air, which is converted to electrical energy.(C)Electrical energy from the grid is converted to mechanical energy in the turbine, which increases the kinetic energy of moving air.(D)Thermal energy from Earth’s interior is converted directly to electrical energy in the generator without mechanical motion.

Refer to the figure below.

11. 2. [Skill: 4.A | Topic: 6.12] A student compares average wind speeds at two potential wind farm sites and the estimated average electrical power output from the same model turbine. [Image Cue]: Line graph, "Estimated Turbine Power Output vs. Wind Speed". x-axis: Wind speed (m/s) from 0 to 12. y-axis: Power output (arbitrary units) from 0 to 100. Curve increases slowly from 0–4 m/s, then rises steeply from 4–10 m/s, and begins to level slightly near 10–12 m/s. Two vertical dashed lines indicate Site A at 5 m/s and Site B at 9 m/s; corresponding power outputs are much higher at 9 m/s than at 5 m/s. Based on the graph, which statement best explains why Site B is predicted to generate substantially more electricity than Site A using the same turbine model?

(A)Higher wind speeds provide more kinetic energy to spin the turbine, increasing generator output.(B)Higher wind speeds reduce friction in the generator, making electricity generation more efficient.(C)Higher wind speeds increase the amount of sunlight reaching the turbine, increasing electricity production.(D)Higher wind speeds convert electrical energy in the grid into mechanical energy in the turbine blades.

12. 3. [Skill: 6.A | Topic: 6.12] A county is deciding whether to approve a wind farm project. A report to the county board states: - Electricity from the wind farm would reduce the need to burn fossil fuels for electricity in the region. - Monitoring at similar wind facilities has documented occasional bird and bat deaths caused by collisions with turbine blades. Which of the following best characterizes the environmental impact trade-off described in the report?

(A)Wind energy is nonrenewable because turbine blades must be replaced, but it causes no wildlife impacts.(B)Wind energy is renewable and clean, but it can increase bird and bat mortality from collisions with turbine blades.(C)Wind energy is renewable, but it increases greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil fuels because turbines require generators.(D)Wind energy is clean, but it requires combustion of coal to spin turbines and therefore increases air pollution.

13. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.13] A homeowner in a temperate climate reviews the notes from a home energy audit: - Winter thermostat is set to 74°F (23°C) during the day and 72°F (22°C) at night. - The home uses an older refrigerator and clothes washer. - The household takes long hot showers and runs a half-full dishwasher daily. - The yard is covered with turf grass and is irrigated every morning in summer. Which change would MOST directly conserve energy by reducing the home’s use of heating and air conditioning?

(A)Lower the winter thermostat setting and reduce the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors(B)Replace turf grass with drought-tolerant native plants to reduce outdoor irrigation(C)Run the dishwasher only with full loads to reduce water use(D)Replace the old refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR certified model to reduce electricity use

14. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.13] A city council is considering strategies to reduce total energy use and air pollution from transportation. The city’s current conditions include heavy traffic, short average commute distances, and an electrical grid that is gradually increasing its share of renewable energy. Which proposed plan best aligns with large-scale energy conservation methods?

(A)Widen major highways to reduce congestion and increase average driving speed(B)Increase fuel economy standards for city vehicle fleets and expand reliable public transportation options(C)Encourage residents to purchase larger vehicles to improve passenger safety and reduce accident-related congestion(D)Reduce the cost of gasoline through subsidies to lower household transportation expenses

Refer to the figure below.

15. [Skill: 2.A | Topic: 6.13] A developer compares projected annual energy use for two similarly sized office buildings in the same climate. [Image Cue]: Bar chart, "Projected Annual Energy Use: Standard vs. Green Building". X-axis: End use category (Lighting, Heating/Cooling). Y-axis: Annual energy use (MWh). Data: Standard building—Lighting 120 MWh, Heating/Cooling 280 MWh. Green building—Lighting 70 MWh, Heating/Cooling 200 MWh. Trend: Green building uses less energy in both categories, with a large reduction in lighting. Which green building design feature most directly explains the reduction in lighting energy use shown in the graph?

(A)High-performance insulation that reduces heat transfer through walls and roofs(B)Daylighting design (e.g., skylights/light shelves) combined with efficient lighting controls(C)Installation of a high-efficiency boiler that burns less fuel per unit of heat produced(D)Switching from single-occupancy vehicles to public transportation for employee commuting

Refer to the figure below.

16. [Skill: 4A | Topic: 6.2] [Image Cue]: Stacked bar chart, "Per Capita Primary Energy Use by Source (2022)." X-axis: Country group (High-income, Upper-middle-income, Lower-middle-income, Low-income). Y-axis: Gigajoules (GJ) per person per year (0–250). Each bar is stacked by energy source with a legend (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Hydropower, Other Renewables, Traditional Biomass). Key visual trends: High-income bar is highest (~220 GJ/person) and is mostly fossil fuels (coal+oil+gas ~150+ GJ); upper-middle is moderate (~120) and fossil-heavy; lower-middle is lower (~60) with a sizable coal component and some traditional biomass; low-income is lowest (~25) and is dominated by traditional biomass with relatively small fossil fuel segments. Based on the data shown, which of the following statements is best supported?

(A)Energy use is evenly distributed among country income groups, and renewable sources are the dominant global energy source.(B)High-income countries use more energy per person than low-income countries, and fossil fuels make up a large portion of energy use in most income groups.(C)Low-income countries use more energy per person than high-income countries because traditional biomass provides the greatest energy supply globally.(D)As countries become more developed, they rely less on fossil fuels because hydropower and other renewables quickly replace them.

17. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 6.2] A nation with a rapidly growing manufacturing sector increases its electricity demand by 40% over a decade. During the same period, the country builds several new coal- and natural gas-fired power plants because they can be constructed quickly and electricity prices remain low. Which of the following best explains the change in the country’s energy profile?

(A)As countries industrialize, total energy demand increases, and developing countries often increase reliance on fossil fuels during development.(B)As countries industrialize, total energy demand decreases because efficiency gains always outpace economic growth.(C)As countries develop, they typically reduce fossil fuel use first, shifting immediately to renewables because they require the least infrastructure.(D)As countries develop, they rely primarily on nuclear power because it is the most widely used energy source globally.

Refer to the figure below.

18. [Skill: 4A | Topic: 6.2] [Image Cue]: Table, "Regional Factors Affecting Electricity Generation Choices." Columns: Factor and Region X Details. Rows include: (1) Fuel availability: large domestic coal reserves; limited natural gas; (2) Fuel price: coal electricity 5 cents/kWh, wind 6 cents/kWh, solar 7 cents/kWh; (3) Government regulation: new policy adds a carbon fee that increases coal electricity cost by 3 cents/kWh; (4) Outcome (blank for students to infer): projected lowest-cost options after policy. A regional energy authority is deciding which electricity sources to expand over the next 15 years. The table summarizes key factors affecting energy choices in Region X. After the carbon fee is implemented, which factor most directly explains why Region X is likely to expand wind generation relative to coal?

(A)Wind turbines require no land area, while coal power plants require large areas for fuel extraction and storage.(B)Governmental regulations can change the effective price of energy sources, shifting choices toward lower-cost options after policy changes.(C)Developed countries always use more energy than developing countries, so wind will necessarily replace coal as total demand increases.(D)Fossil fuels are not widely used globally, so policies rarely affect energy choices compared to availability alone.

Refer to the figure below.

19. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 6.3] A student compares several solid fuels used for heating by measuring their moisture content and approximate carbon content. [Image Cue]: Data table, "Properties of Solid Fuels", columns = Fuel Sample (1–4), Moisture (% by mass), Approximate Carbon Content (% by mass). Data: Sample 1: Moisture 60%, Carbon 30% Sample 2: Moisture 40%, Carbon 50% Sample 3: Moisture 15%, Carbon 75% Sample 4: Moisture 5%, Carbon 90% Based on the data, which fuel type is most likely Sample 4?

(A)Peat(B)Lignite coal(C)Bituminous coal(D)Anthracite coal

20. [Skill: 1A | Topic: 6.3] In a rural region with limited access to electricity, many households cook meals using either firewood or charcoal made locally from wood. Local health workers report frequent respiratory irritation among residents who cook indoors. Which of the following statements best connects the fuel use described to why these fuels are common in many developing countries?

(A)Firewood and charcoal are widely used because they are often easily accessible locally, even when other commercial fuels are unavailable.(B)Firewood and charcoal are widely used because they release fewer air pollutants indoors than natural gas.(C)Firewood and charcoal are widely used because they are fossil fuels with consistently high energy density.(D)Firewood and charcoal are widely used because they form through heat and pressure over millions of years and are therefore abundant in all regions.

21. [Skill: 3B | Topic: 6.3] A city is evaluating three proposals for a new energy facility: Proposal 1: A natural gas plant that uses methane as the fuel and includes cogeneration to provide electricity and district heating. Proposal 2: A coal-fired plant that generates electricity only. Proposal 3: A facility that produces electricity using crude oil recovered from tar sands. Which proposal and justification best supports the city’s goal of reducing air pollution per unit of useful energy delivered (electricity plus usable heat)?

(A)Proposal 1, because natural gas is mostly methane and is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel, and cogeneration increases efficiency by capturing useful heat that would otherwise be wasted.(B)Proposal 2, because coal has the highest energy content of all fossil fuels, so less fuel is burned and fewer pollutants are emitted.(C)Proposal 3, because tar sands are mostly water and sand, so extracting crude oil from them produces minimal air pollution.(D)Proposal 2, because cogeneration occurs naturally in coal plants when smoke stacks release hot gases to the atmosphere.

Refer to the figure below.

22. 1. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 6.4] [Image Cue]: World map, "Major Coal-Bearing Regions and Past Environments". Map overlays (1) modern continents and (2) shaded areas labeled "Carboniferous-age swamp/peat environments (~300 million years ago)" plus symbols marking major modern coal deposits. Coal symbols cluster in eastern North America, western/central Europe, northern China, and parts of Russia. Based on the map, which statement best explains why major coal deposits are concentrated in these regions rather than being evenly distributed across Earth?

(A)Coal deposits formed primarily where Carboniferous-age wetland/peat environments existed and were later buried and transformed, so their locations reflect regional geologic history.(B)Coal deposits occur mainly where present-day precipitation is highest, because coal forms most quickly in modern tropical rainforests.(C)Coal deposits are concentrated along mid-ocean ridges because the high heat flow there converts organic matter into coal.(D)Coal deposits are evenly distributed in Earth’s crust but are only mined in a few countries due to differences in current environmental regulations.

Refer to the figure below.

23. 2. [Skill: 2A | Topic: 6.4] [Image Cue]: Geologic cross-section diagram, "Petroleum System in a Sedimentary Basin". Layers from bottom to top: (1) igneous/metamorphic basement, (2) organic-rich shale labeled "source rock", (3) porous sandstone labeled "reservoir rock", (4) impermeable shale labeled "cap rock". The layers are folded into an anticline; small black droplets representing oil and gas are shown migrating upward and accumulating at the crest of the anticline within the reservoir rock directly beneath the cap rock. Which location in the diagram is most likely to contain an economically recoverable concentration of crude oil?

(A)Within the igneous/metamorphic basement rock below the sedimentary layers(B)Dispersed uniformly throughout the organic-rich shale (source rock) regardless of permeability(C)In the porous reservoir rock at the crest of the anticline, trapped beneath the impermeable cap rock(D)At the ground surface directly above the basin because oil rises and accumulates on top of soil

24. 3. [Skill: 4A | Topic: 6.4] A geoscience class compares four regions to predict where large crude oil and natural gas resources are most likely to occur. Region characteristics: - Region 1: Thick sedimentary basin on a passive continental margin; long history of marine sediment accumulation; abundant buried organic matter. - Region 2: Old continental shield (craton) dominated by exposed igneous and metamorphic rock; thin or absent sedimentary cover. - Region 3: Mid-ocean ridge setting with basaltic volcanism; very thin sediments. - Region 4: Mountain belt at an active convergent plate boundary with extensive metamorphism and deformation; limited continuous sedimentary basins. Based on these data, which region is most likely to contain large crude oil and natural gas deposits?

(A)Region 1(B)Region 2(C)Region 3(D)Region 4

25. 1. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.5] A coal-fired power plant burns pulverized fossil fuel in a boiler with excess oxygen. The plant operator explains that the burning process releases energy because it is a chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen. Which of the following best identifies the primary products of fossil-fuel combustion described above?

(A)Carbon dioxide and water(B)Carbon monoxide and oxygen(C)Methane and water(D)Nitrogen and sulfur dioxide

Refer to the figure below.

26. 2. [Skill: 2.A | Topic: 6.5] A student creates a simplified flow diagram of a fossil-fuel power plant. The diagram includes the following labeled components in order: fuel combustion chamber (boiler) → water/steam system → turbine → generator → transmission lines. Which of the following best explains how chemical energy in the fuel becomes electrical energy delivered to the grid?

(A)Fuel combustion directly creates an electric current that is sent to transmission lines.(B)Fuel combustion produces heat that turns water into steam; steam spins a turbine; the turbine spins a generator that produces electricity.(C)Fuel combustion heats the generator coils directly, and the resulting temperature increase produces electricity in transmission lines.(D)Steam is converted into electricity inside the boiler, and the turbine is used primarily to remove pollutants from exhaust gases.

27. 3. [Skill: 4.A | Topic: 6.5] A county health department investigates complaints near a newly installed hydraulic fracturing (fracking) site. The table shows measurements from the same private well and the air outside the wellhead area. [Image Cue]: Data table, "Environmental Measurements Before and After Fracking". Columns: Measurement, 2 months before fracking, 2 months after fracking. Rows: (i) Dissolved methane in well water (mg/L): 0.2 before, 3.1 after. (ii) Total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air (ppb): 15 before, 110 after. (iii) Nitrate in well water (mg/L): 4 before, 4 after. Which conclusion is best supported by the data and is consistent with known environmental risks of fracking?

(A)Fracking has likely caused groundwater contamination and increased VOC emissions to the air.(B)Fracking has likely increased nitrate runoff from agriculture into groundwater.(C)Fracking has likely reduced air pollution because VOC concentrations are lower after drilling.(D)Fracking has likely caused acid rain because methane dissolved in water creates sulfuric acid.

Refer to the figure below.

28. 1. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.6] A student creates a simplified flow diagram of a nuclear power plant to describe how electricity is generated. [Image Cue]: Flow diagram, "Energy Conversions in a Nuclear Power Plant", boxes connected by arrows showing: "Uranium-235 fuel" → "Fission in reactor core" → "Heat transferred to water" → "Steam produced" → "Turbine spins" → "Generator produces electricity". A side arrow from "Reactor core" leads to "Spent fuel (radioactive solid waste)". Which of the following best describes the process that directly generates electricity in the plant?

(A)Steam turns a turbine, which spins a generator that produces electricity.(B)Uranium-235 combusts, releasing heat that directly produces electricity.(C)Fission reactions produce carbon dioxide that is captured and converted into electricity.(D)Radioactive waste emits radiation that is converted to electricity by solar panels.

Refer to the figure below.

29. 2. [Skill: 4.A | Topic: 6.6] A report compares several environmental outcomes associated with different electricity sources and summarizes information from historical nuclear accidents. [Image Cue]: Table, "Selected Environmental Outcomes", with two columns ("Outcome" and "Associated with") and the following rows: - "Release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) during normal operation" — "Coal-fired power plants" - "Long-lived hazardous solid waste requiring secure storage" — "Nuclear power plants" - "Thermal pollution from discharge of warmed cooling water" — "Nuclear power plants and fossil-fuel power plants" - "Release of radiation following an accident or natural disaster" — "Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Fukushima" Based on the table, which statement best explains a key environmental trade-off of using nuclear power for electricity generation?

(A)Nuclear power is renewable and produces no waste, but it releases large amounts of SO2 during normal operation.(B)Nuclear power produces fewer air pollutants during normal operation than coal, but it generates long-lived radioactive solid waste and can release radiation during accidents.(C)Nuclear power is nonrenewable and therefore always releases more greenhouse gases than coal per unit of electricity generated.(D)Nuclear power prevents thermal pollution because it does not require water for cooling.

Refer to the figure below.

30. **1.** [Skill: 4A | Topic: 6.7] A county government is considering replacing a coal-fired electricity plant with a solid-biomass (wood pellet) power plant. The county requests an emissions summary from the operator, shown in the graph. [Image Cue]: Bar graph, "Air Pollutants Emitted per MWh of Electricity Generated"; x-axis = pollutant ($CO_2$, CO, $NO_x$, PM, VOC); y-axis = grams per MWh; two bars per pollutant (Coal plant vs Wood biomass plant). Key trend: biomass and coal both emit $CO_2$; biomass shows notable emissions of CO, $NO_x$, PM, and VOC; none are zero. Based on the information and typical solid-biomass fuel sourcing, which of the following best identifies an additional environmental concern associated with switching to solid biomass?

(A)Deforestation from overharvesting trees for fuel, which can reduce carbon storage and habitat availability(B)Elimination of air pollutant emissions because biomass is carbon neutral during combustion(C)Reduced atmospheric $CO_2$ concentrations during combustion because burning biomass consumes $CO_2$(D)Elimination of particulate emissions because wood pellets contain no impurities

31. **2.** [Skill: 3B | Topic: 6.7] A study compares gasoline with corn-based ethanol (E85) as transportation fuels. The study reports the following: - During combustion, ethanol releases $CO_2$ that was recently fixed from the atmosphere by corn plants. - Producing ethanol requires energy for farm equipment, fertilizer production, irrigation (in some areas), and distillation. - Estimated energy return on energy investment (EROEI): corn ethanol = 1.3 : 1; gasoline = 5 : 1. Which of the following best explains how ethanol use affects the environment and the energy system?

(A)Ethanol combustion adds no carbon to the atmosphere, and its high EROEI means less total energy is required to produce it than gasoline(B)Ethanol combustion does not introduce additional carbon via combustion, but its low EROEI indicates substantial energy inputs are needed to produce the fuel(C)Ethanol has a higher EROEI than gasoline, so it always results in lower total air pollution across its life cycle(D)Ethanol is not a substitute for gasoline because it cannot be burned in internal combustion engines

Refer to the figure below.

32. [Skill: 4.B | Topic: 6.8] A utility is comparing two solar technologies: • System 1: A photovoltaic (PV) array that converts sunlight directly into electricity. • System 2: An active solar thermal system that uses pumps and pipes to circulate a heat-transfer fluid, storing captured thermal energy in an insulated tank. [Image Cue]: Line graph, "Solar irradiance vs. time of day", x-axis = time (0–24 hours), y-axis = solar irradiance (W/m^2). The curve is near 0 from 0–6, rises to a peak around noon, then returns to near 0 from 18–24. Based on the information above, which statement best explains why System 2 can generate electricity for a longer portion of the day than System 1 at the same location?

(A)System 2 can collect and store energy as heat for later use, while PV generation is limited to times when sunlight is available.(B)System 2 produces electricity directly from sunlight more efficiently than PV cells do during midday.(C)System 2 does not require sunlight because pumps create energy through mechanical motion.(D)System 1 can store electricity within the PV cells, allowing electricity generation after sunset.

33. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.8] A county government proposes building a large utility-scale solar farm on previously undisturbed desert land. The site contains cryptobiotic soil crusts and provides habitat for several desert-adapted species. The proposal states that solar energy “produces clean energy with low environmental impact.” Which of the following identifies a likely environmental concern associated with this project that is consistent with the claim’s limitations?

(A)Construction and operation of the solar farm may fragment desert habitat and disturb soil crusts, negatively affecting desert ecosystem function.(B)Solar panels will release sulfur dioxide during normal operation, causing regional acid deposition.(C)The solar farm will increase the rate of nuclear waste generation because solar panels require radioactive fuel.(D)The solar farm will directly emit large amounts of carbon dioxide because photovoltaic cells must combust fuel to generate electricity.

34. **1. [Skill: 1.A | Topic: 6.9]** A coastal region is considering three renewable electricity proposals: - **Project 1:** A large dam that creates a reservoir upstream. - **Project 2:** A set of turbines installed directly in a small, fast-moving river with no large reservoir. - **Project 3:** Turbines installed in a channel where water flows strongly in and out with ocean tides. Which statement correctly describes how each project generates electricity?

(A)Project 1 generates electricity when stored water is released and spins turbines; Project 2 generates electricity as flowing river water spins turbines; Project 3 generates electricity as tidal flows turn turbines.(B)Project 1 generates electricity by converting dissolved minerals in reservoir water into electrical energy; Project 2 generates electricity by burning biomass carried by the river; Project 3 generates electricity by using ocean waves to heat water into steam.(C)Project 1 generates electricity only when rainfall directly strikes the turbine blades; Project 2 generates electricity by pumping water uphill to store electricity; Project 3 generates electricity by converting saltwater into hydrogen fuel.(D)Project 1 generates electricity by using the reservoir to store electrical charge; Project 2 generates electricity by filtering pollutants out of the river; Project 3 generates electricity by capturing sunlight reflected off the ocean surface.

Refer to the figure below.

35. **2. [Skill: 4.A | Topic: 6.9]** A city is comparing two options to meet growing electricity demand: - **Option A:** Build a hydroelectric dam on a river. - **Option B:** Build a coal-fired power plant. Scientists collected ecological data at a site downstream of the proposed dam location and used published emissions data for coal power. [Image Cue]: Table, "Environmental indicators for two electricity options". Columns: Indicator, Baseline (river before dam), After hydroelectric dam (predicted), Coal plant (typical). Rows: Fine particulate emissions to air (PM) (tons per year): Baseline 0, After dam 0, Coal plant 1,500. River habitat connectivity for migratory fish (qualitative): Baseline high, After dam low, Coal plant high. Native fish species richness downstream (number of species): Baseline 18, After dam 11, Coal plant 18. Which conclusion is best supported by the information provided?

(A)Option A is likely to reduce air pollution compared with Option B, but it may also reduce habitat connectivity and native fish diversity due to changes associated with the dam.(B)Option A is likely to increase air pollution compared with Option B because the reservoir will emit large amounts of PM.(C)Option A and Option B will have the same effect on native fish diversity because both options produce electricity without altering the river.(D)Option B is likely to improve habitat connectivity and increase fish diversity because coal plants do not affect ecosystems.

B. Short Answer Questions (1 Question)

Answer all parts of each question. Answers must be in essay form. Outlines or lists alone are not acceptable.

Question 36:

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