APES sem 2 exam 2 FRQ

Based on the data in the graph, identify the fuel source that made the largest contribution to total electricity generated in 2011 by the ten countries.
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Terms in this set (21)
Based on the data in the graph, identify the fuel source that made the largest contribution to total electricity generated in 2011 by the ten countries.
Fossil fuels made the largest contribution to total electricity generated in 2011 by the ten countries.
Based on the data in the graph, identify the country that produced the greatest percentage of its electricity in 2011 from nuclear power.
France produced the greatest percentage of its electricity in 2011 from nuclear power.
Based on the data in the graph, describe one environmental problem in Brazil that could result if total electricity generation was increased by 10 percent with its least-used fuel source.
Increasing nuclear fuel by 10% would result in several environmental problems in Brazil. One of those problems is accidental release of radioactive waste into the environment from large-scale radioactive emissions from nuclear power plant disasters/explosions.
Based on the data in the graph, propose a solution to reduce an environmental problem linked to the primary fuel source used to generate electricity in Germany, other than reduced use of the fuel source.
In Germany, the primary fuel source to generate electricity is fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels comes with a multitude of negative impacts on the environment but one major impact is high CO2 emissions. A solution to reduce this problem is to plant more trees that sequester CO2.
The ecological footprint of an average individual living in Japan in 2011 was ten times larger than the ecological footprint of an average individual living in India. Using the data provided in both the graph and table, make a claim that supports or refutes the hypothesis that the total ecological footprint of Japan was larger than that of India.
This is supported. Japan has a much smaller population than India, but Japan has a larger ecological footprint because Japan generates more total energy thanIndia.
A conservationist group proposes a countywide recycling program with curbside pickup to recycle single-use plastics. They argue this action will reduce the ecological footprint of the county more than switching to reusable items like water bottles or shopping bags. Make a claim that supports or refutes the proposed recycling program as a way to reduce the ecological footprint of the county.
The claim is refuted because the energy required for curbside pickup, transport, and recycling would exceed the energy required to wash and reuse items.
Transportation is another major contributor to an individual's ecological footprint. In countries like the United States, passenger vehicles contribute to a range of environmental problems.

Describe one regulatory practice that could reduce the effect of passenger vehicles on nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere.
To reduce the effect of passenger vehicles on nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, one regulatory practice is to increase incentives to switch to driving electric cars to reduce vehicle emissions. Converting fuel sources for these vehicles greatly reduces the number of emissions that they produce which would consequently reduce nitrogen oxide emissions into the atmosphere. Electric vehicles produce significantly fewer emissions than gas-powered vehicles.
Transportation is another major contributor to an individual's ecological footprint. In countries like the United States, passenger vehicles contribute to a range of environmental problems.

Describe an additional benefit, other than reducing the air pollutant mentioned, that could result from the regulatory practice identified in part
By converting to electricity-powered vehicles, not only are nitrogen oxide emissions cut, but emissions from other pollutants such as particulates. Gas-powered vehicles produce a number of harmful emissions for the environment and atmosphere. By decreasing the use of gas, it is possible to lower the amount of emissions per vehicle.
Describe why coal is considered a nonrenewable energy source.
Coal is considered a nonrenewable energy source because of the time it takes to form. Coal is made up of the energy from plants that died millions of years ago which over time became covered by layers of dirt and rock. The formation rate of coal is less than the consumption rate of coal.
Describe one potential environmental advantage of replacing a coal-fired power plant with a natural-gas power plant.
Replacing a coal-fired power plant with a natural-gas power plant has the potential benefit of decreasing CO2 emissions. Natural gas emits around 50% less CO2 than coal when burning.
Describe one economic advantage of using natural gas, rather than coal, in producing electricity.One economic advantage of using natural gas over coal is that the transport of natural gas, which occurs in pipelines costs less than transport of coal, which occurs by rail. Natural gas is difficult to transport and thus increases its cost.When natural gas is used to heat homes, it can produce carbon monoxide gas, which can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in humans. Propose a solution to reduce the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning in humans.To decrease the number of carbon monoxide poisonings in humans, a potential solution is to create laws or regulations that mandate that carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in all homes of any type.Calculate the percent change in the average annual PM2.5 concentration in the air from 1990 to 2016. Show your work.((188 − 85)/85) × 100 = 121%Trees can remove PM2.5 from the atmosphere when particulates settle on the leaves and are subsequently washed onto soil by rain. The average annual removal of PM2.5 is 2.3 kilograms per hectare. Calculate the decrease in PM2.5 removal in kilograms if logging reduced a forested area from 50,000 hectares to 43,000 hectares. Show your work.50,000 × 2.3 = 115,000 kg; 43,000 × 2.3 = 98,900 (115,000 − 98,900) = 16,100 kg PM2.5Research has shown that hospital admissions for cardiovascular problems increase 1% with every 10% increase in PM2.5 concentration. A city experienced a 23% increase in PM2.5 concentration and had 7,390 hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues over a one-year period. Calculate the anticipated increase in the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues during the next year if the PM2.5 concentration continues to rise at an identical rate. Show your work.(23%/10%) × 1% × 7,390 = 169 more admissionsDescribe one potential negative environmental consequence from using nuclear power.Nuclear power has a negative environmental consequence of generating radioactive waste. A nuclear accident could lead to small- or large-scale contamination with radioactive waste. Radioactive waste remains radioactive for extensive periods of time and can prove to be harmful to humans and other organisms. It can cause diseases that reduce lifespan.Proponents of wind energy argue that wind turbines are a better way to generate electricity. i. Describe TWO potential advantages, other than reducing the negative consequences from using nuclear power, of generating electricity using wind turbines.Wind turbines have many advantages as a power source. One is that wind is a renewable energy source. Unlike nuclear power, wind is constantly present and replenished making it a sustainable source of energy. A second advantage is that it is cost-effective. Power generated from wind turbines has little to no cost of harvesting and is sold at a fixed price.Proponents of wind energy argue that wind turbines are a better way to generate electricity. ii. Describe one potential disadvantage of generating electricity using wind turbines.One disadvantage of wind turbines is that it is unpredictable. Wind energy is not a constant source of electricity as wind speeds vary drastically. Some days may produce a high volume of energy due to wind presence, but wind turbines do not produce energy when there are periods with no wind.The total wind power capacity in the United States in 2000 was about 2540MW. By 2015, the total wind power capacity in the United States was about 72,500MW. Calculate the percent change in the total wind power capacity in the United States from 2000 to 2015. Show your work.(72,500 - 2,540)/2,540 × 100 = (69,960)/2,540 × 100 = 2,754%A wind turbine has a capacity of 3MW. Assuming the turbine operates at 50 percent of its capacity all day and every day for a week, calculate how many kWh of electricity the wind turbine will produce by the end of the week. Show your work.3MWh = 3,000kWh 3,000/2 = 1,500 x 24 = 36,000 x 7 = 252,000kWhIf a typical house uses 10,900kWh per year, calculate how many houses could have their full energy needs provided for one year by the turbine above if it continued to operate as described for one year. Show your work.(252,000/1) × (52/1) × (1/10,900) = 1202 houses