Essay Prompts-Energy (Ch’s 13,14,&15)

You will be given two questions and both must be answered!

1. Energy from fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) have been essential to meeting energy demands. What have these fuels been used for? What are the reserves of these energy sources? What are the environmental consequences of using these fuels? How can the use of these fossil fuels be extended?

2. Nuclear power in the U.S. generates 20% of the electricity. How does a nuclear power plant work? What problems are associated with radioactive materials and the disposal of nuclear waste? What impact have nuclear accidents at TMI and Chernobyl had on electricity generation by nuclear fission. What advantages do nuclear power plants have compared to coal fired power plants?

3. The inevitable loss of non-renewable energy sources and global climate changes make the movement towards renewable energy sources mandatory. Solar options both DIRECT and INDIRECT as well as geothermal, tidal and OTEC are proposed as solutions. Discuss their prospects for meeting our energy requirements including their design, best use, cost, benefit and environmental impacts.

4. Calculations involving energy conversions given an energy scenario e.g. AP Exam test items.