Week of 11/28

This week, we introduce nuclear power and review all nonrenewable energy resources.

Review questions follow.

Chapter 17 Study Guide/Review Sheet

Write an original sentence with each of these key terms.

1. fossil fuels
2. electric generator
3. oil reserves
4. nuclear energy
5. nuclear fission
6. nuclear fusion

Read the following prompts and write an appropriate response.

Section 1

1. How do you use each of the three fossil fuels every day?
1. Coal
2. Oil
3. Natural gas
2. Why are “byproducts of use” considered when determining a fuel’s suitability?
3. Why is coal a bad choice for airline fuel?
4. Why is a computer run on electricity instead of a gasoline engine?
5. Explain how an electric generator produces electric energy.
6. Japan and Switzerland use less energy per person than the USA or Canada. Why do you think this is?
7. What was the key difference between coal formation and oil & natural gas for formation?
8. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel. What are two other advantages of coal?
9. What are two environmental impacts of coal mining?
10. What are two environmental impacts of burning high-sulfur coal?
11. Tell the story of oil exploration from discovery to refining.
12. What are three environmental impacts of burning oil?
13. What are the advantages of natural gas (methane) over other fossil fuels?
14. Read about the future of fossil fuels. Predict the future of fossil fuel usage. Address cost, availability, and alternative fuels.

Section 2

15. Describe the energy in the nucleus of an atom.
16. What is fission, and what happens if a fission reaction is uncontrolled?
17. What is the purpose of the pressure vessel in a nuclear power plant?
18. What are the similarities between nuclear power plants and coal burning power plants? (477 & 468)
19. Compare energy production and air pollution in France and the USA.
20. What are the 3 major downsides of nuclear power?
21. Why is Yucca Mountain important to nuclear power?
22. Do you expect more disasters like Chernobyl or Three Mile Island? Why?
23. Why is fusion so difficult to achieve on earth?
24. What is the difference between fusion and fission?
25. Which do you think is more environmentally friendly, nuclear power or fossil fuels? Explain your answer.