Unit 6 Study Guide
Chapter 12: Nonrenewable Energy Resources
1. Define nonrenewable energy resources.
2. What are the two primary categories of nonrenewable energy resources?
3. What are the three resources that supply the majority of the energy used in the United States (list in
the order of importance)?
4. What are the three main fossil fuels?
5. Explain how electricity is produced in a coal-burning power plant.
6. What is an electrical grid?
7. Define cogeneration and give an example.
8. Define coal.
9. Explain the formation of coal.
10. What is the raw material from which coal is formed?
11. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of using coal.
12. Where is the largest coal reserves found?
13. Define petroleum.
14. How is petroleum formed?
15. Does petroleum contain natural gas?
16. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of petroleum use.
17. Define natural gas.
18. What are the 2 largest uses of natural gas in the United States?
19. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of natural gas.
20. Explain how a nuclear reactor works. Include the process of nuclear fission. Know all of the parts of a
nuclear reactor and their role in the process of electricity formation.
21. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of nuclear energy.
22. What are the three levels of radioactive waste.
Chapter 13: Renewable Energy Resources
1. What is the difference between potentially renewable and renewable resources?
2. What percent of energy used in the US is renewable?
3. What are the two renewable energy resources that the US uses the most?
4. The best way to approach energy use is through _____ and _____.
5. What are some local ways of using energy efficiently?
6. What are some ways the government can force energy efficiency on people?
7. Explain passive solar design and some techniques.
8. What are a few examples of solid biomass? Liquid biomass?
9. What are some advantages and disadvantages of using wood?
10. What are some advantages and disadvantages of using animal waste?
11. Define ethanol and how it is formed.
12. Who is the world leader in ethanol production?
13. Explain gasohol.
14. Advantages and disadvantages of ethanol:
15. Alternative to using corn products for ethanol production include:
16. Define biodiesel and it’s production.
17. List some advantages and disadvantages of using biodiesel.
18. Define hydroelectricity.
19. Who is the world’s leading in hydroelectricity production?
20. Explain the process of a hydroelectric power plant.
21. Explain run-of-the-river. Water impoundment systems.
22. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of hydroelectricity.
23. Explain solar water heating systems and photovoltaic systems.
24. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of active solar heating.
25. Define geothermal energy.
26. Define wind energy.
27. How is wind produced?
28. List 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages of wind energy production.
29. Explain the process of using a fuel cell.
30. What is a smart grid?