Social Impact of Technology

According to the textbook, there is a finite amount of time that our civilization can exist based on which of the following?

	A. Our civilization is based on non-renewable resources.
	B. Our production of nuclear weapons will lead to mass destruction.
	C. At the present birth and death rates, our population will outgrow its capacity to feed itself.
	D. Plagues and diseases from non-industrialized countries will kill the population.

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Behind the United States, the world's second largest emitter of energy-related emissions is:

	A. Mexico.
	B. China.
	C. The Soviet Union.
	D. Europe.

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In the year 2000, fossil fuels accounted for __________ of energy use while new renewable sources accounted for only __________.

	A. 50%; 12%
	B. 70%; 5%
	C. 77%; 2%
	D. 97%; 3%

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Which of the following regions has the largest crude oil and natural gas reserves?

	A. North America
	B. Central and South America
	C. Europe
	D. Middle East

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According to the textbook, the world adds about __________ of CO2 to the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion each year, whereas sustainable, stable amounts would be about __________.

	A. 6 billion tons; 1 billion
	B. 4 million tons; 1 billion
	C. 8 billion tons; 3 billion
	D. 4 billion tons; 6 billion

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In 2006 the global oil prices reached slightly above __________ a barrel.

	A. $108
	B. $98
	C. $88
	D. $78

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The advantages of __________ as an energy source are that it is abundant, versatile, and inexpensive compared with other energy sources.

	A. coal
	B. hydroelectric power
	C. solar power
	D. crude oil

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Which of the following fossil fuels can make a significant contribution towards improving air quality if employed into the transportation sector?

	A. Crude Oil
	B. Coal
	C. Natural gas
	D. Solar power

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During the 1990s, wind power grew at a rate of __________ while solar energy grew at a rate of __________.

	A. 36%; 27%
	B. 26%; 17%
	C. 17%; 26%
	D. 27%; 36%

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Nuclear energy provides about __________ of electricity in the United States.

	A. 10%
	B. 15%
	C. 19%
	D. 25%

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The world's first large-scale nuclear power plant began operations in:

	A. 1947.
	B. 1957.
	C. 1967.
	D. 1977.

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The Yucca mountain nuclear waste repository (proposed in 1988 to be located in Nevada) will not offer permanent storage of nuclear waste until at least:

	A. 2017.
	B. 2027.
	C. 2037.
	D. It began storing waste in 2007.

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According to Michael Renner, the main objective of the war in Iraq is:

	A. to Liberate Iraq.
	B. to maintain a cheaper supply of oil.
	C. because President Bush wanted to punish President Saddam Hussain.
	D. for unidentified political advancements.

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Which of the following power technologies has the highest fuel (thermal) efficiency?

	A. Fuel cell
	B. Steam electric power plant
	C. Nuclear electric power
	D. Gas turbine electric power plant

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According to the textbook, Iceland's proposed hydrogen economy is driven by all of the following EXCEPT:

	A. recent developments in hydrogen fuel cells.
	B. the movement to combat global climate change.
	C. concerns over the price and supply of oil.
	D. ethnic pride.

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All of the following processes are used in biomass energy technology EXCEPT:

	A. radiation.
	B. combustion.
	C. gasification.
	D. pyrolysis.

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The technology that converts solar radiation into electricity is called __________ energy.

	A. fossil fuel
	B. hydroelectric
	C. nuclear
	D. photo-voltaic

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One advantage of hydroelectric power generation is:

	A. the production of high-level chemical waste but no greenhouse gases.
	B. very high efficiency converting water to electrical energy.
	C. a wide range of sites for plant construction.
	D. low construction costs.

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Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of hydroelectric power generation?

	A. Dam construction causes loss of land suitable for agriculture.
	B. Dam construction prevents upstream migration of fish.
	C. Downstream water flow becomes unpredictable and creates extreme conditions.
	D. Drought conditions can affect power production.

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The biggest roadblock for electric cars is:

	A. storing the electricity needed to run them.
	B. the inefficiency of the electric motor.
	C. the lack of usable prototypes.
	D. low-volume production.