There are over one million more solar power installations than fossil fuel plants in America. However, fossil fuels generate the most electricity, and solar power contributes the least.
Construction and use of electrical power plants produce carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas (GHG). Building new power plants that maximize power production but minimize GHG emission is a current engineering challenge. One approach used in the United States is to construct power plants that use renewable energy.
Characteristics of electrical plants that use certain renewable or nonrenewable sources of energy are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Energy Sources and Characteristics
Energy Sources | Renewable | Nonrenewable | |||
Solar Power | Wind Power | Hydropower | Nuclear | Fossil Fuels | |
GHG Emissions Intensity | 97 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 506 |
Cost | 6 | 6 | 2 | 9.5 | ≤7.5 |
Number of Facilities | 1.5 million | 52,343 | 1,440 | 62 | 3,288 |
Electricity Generated in 2016 | 0.9% | 5.6% | 6.5% | 20% | 65% |
Which statement correctly answers the question of whether electrical plants that use wind power instead of fossil fuels would maximize power production and minimize GHG emissions?
There are over one million more solar power installations than fossil fuel plants in America. However, fossil fuels generate the most electricity, and solar power contributes the least.
Construction and use of electrical power plants produce carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas (GHG). Building new power plants that maximize power production but minimize GHG emission is a current engineering challenge. One approach used in the United States is to construct power plants that use renewable energy.
Characteristics of electrical plants that use certain renewable or nonrenewable sources of energy are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Energy Sources and Characteristics
Energy Sources | Renewable | Nonrenewable | |||
Solar Power | Wind Power | Hydropower | Nuclear | Fossil Fuels | |
GHG Emissions Intensity | 97 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 506 |
Cost | 6 | 6 | 2 | 9.5 | ≤7.5 |
Number of Facilities | 1.5 million | 52,343 | 1,440 | 62 | 3,288 |
Electricity Generated in 2016 | 0.9% | 5.6% | 6.5% | 20% | 65% |
Energy facilities produce different amounts of electricity per facility depending on the type of energy source involved.
Drag the energy sources to arrange them in correct order from greatest (top) to the least (bottom) amount of electricity produced per facility.
Wind power
Fossil fuels
Solar power
Nuclear energy
Hydropower
Changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere impacts global sea level.
Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are correlated with rising atmospheric temperatures. Researchers collected data, shown in Figures 1 and 2, on atmospheric carbon dioxide and global sea level.
Which question is best addressed by analyzing the data?
Changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere impacts global sea level.
Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are correlated with rising atmospheric temperatures. Researchers collected data, shown in Figures 1 and 2, on atmospheric carbon dioxide and global sea level.
Changes in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere impacts global sea level.
Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are correlated with rising atmospheric temperatures. Researchers collected data, shown in Figures 1 and 2, on atmospheric carbon dioxide and global sea level.
Information about Earth’s early history may be contained in materials from Mars, the Moon, and meteorites.
Various theories have been presented to explain the formation of the Moon during the early history of Earth:
Fission Theory: The Moon formed when a small, outer portion of the spinning Earth separated from the larger body and moved into space.
Capture Theory: The Moon formed elsewhere in the solar system, but in a similar manner to Earth. It then moved toward Earth and was captured by Earth’s gravity.
Condensation Theory: The Moon formed separately from Earth, but in a similar manner and in the same vicinity.
Impact Theory: The Moon formed following a violent impact between Earth and a Mars-sized object. The impact caused the outer portion of molten Earth to be ejected. Gravity caused the debris to attract and eventually combine to form the Moon.
Information about Earth’s early history may be contained in materials from Mars, the Moon, and meteorites.
Various theories have been presented to explain the formation of the Moon during the early history of Earth:
Fission Theory: The Moon formed when a small, outer portion of the spinning Earth separated from the larger body and moved into space.
Capture Theory: The Moon formed elsewhere in the solar system, but in a similar manner to Earth. It then moved toward Earth and was captured by Earth’s gravity.
Condensation Theory: The Moon formed separately from Earth, but in a similar manner and in the same vicinity.
Impact Theory: The Moon formed following a violent impact between Earth and a Mars-sized object. The impact caused the outer portion of molten Earth to be ejected. Gravity caused the debris to attract and eventually combine to form the Moon.
Information about Earth’s early history may be contained in materials from Mars, the Moon, and meteorites.
Various theories have been presented to explain the formation of the Moon during the early history of Earth:
Fission Theory: The Moon formed when a small, outer portion of the spinning Earth separated from the larger body and moved into space.
Capture Theory: The Moon formed elsewhere in the solar system, but in a similar manner to Earth. It then moved toward Earth and was captured by Earth’s gravity.
Condensation Theory: The Moon formed separately from Earth, but in a similar manner and in the same vicinity.
Impact Theory: The Moon formed following a violent impact between Earth and a Mars-sized object. The impact caused the outer portion of molten Earth to be ejected. Gravity caused the debris to attract and eventually combine to form the Moon.
Every planetary body in the solar system has a specific composition and density. Based on the data, indicate which statement would support each formation theory.
Select all of the correct answers.
Fission | Capture | Condensation | Impact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Earth and the Moon have similar compositions. | ||||
Earth and the Moon have different compositions. |
Tectonic plates interact in different ways, but most interactions result in some type of mountain formation.
Figure 1 models conditions at plate boundaries that create various types of surface features. Each separate plate is marked with a letter, with arrows showing the plates’ directions of movement: moving toward or away from each other, or sliding past each other.
Table 1 describes types of plate boundaries and the interactions between them.
Table 1. Plate Boundaries
Boundary Type | Tectonic Process | Resulting Surface Feature |
Convergent with no subduction | Compression and uplift | Mountain |
Convergent with subduction | Volcanism, compression, and uplift | Mountain and/or volcano |
Divergent | Volcanism, rifting, and sea floor spreading | Seamount |
Transform | Side-to-side motion | None |
Tectonic plates interact in different ways, but most interactions result in some type of mountain formation.
Figure 1 models conditions at plate boundaries that create various types of surface features. Each separate plate is marked with a letter, with arrows showing the plates’ directions of movement: moving toward or away from each other, or sliding past each other.
Table 1 describes types of plate boundaries and the interactions between them.
Table 1. Plate Boundaries
Boundary Type | Tectonic Process | Resulting Surface Feature |
Convergent with no subduction | Compression and uplift | Mountain |
Convergent with subduction | Volcanism, compression, and uplift | Mountain and/or volcano |
Divergent | Volcanism, rifting, and sea floor spreading | Seamount |
Transform | Side-to-side motion | None |
Figure 2 shows tectonic plate boundaries on Earth, with areas labeled W, X, Y, and Z. Identify the location in Figure 2 that best represents the boundary between plates C and D in Figure 1.
Select the correct location from the four options.
Tectonic plates interact in different ways, but most interactions result in some type of mountain formation.
Figure 1 models conditions at plate boundaries that create various types of surface features. Each separate plate is marked with a letter, with arrows showing the plates’ directions of movement: moving toward or away from each other, or sliding past each other.
Table 1 describes types of plate boundaries and the interactions between them.
Table 1. Plate Boundaries
Boundary Type | Tectonic Process | Resulting Surface Feature |
Convergent with no subduction | Compression and uplift | Mountain |
Convergent with subduction | Volcanism, compression, and uplift | Mountain and/or volcano |
Divergent | Volcanism, rifting, and sea floor spreading | Seamount |
Transform | Side-to-side motion | None |
Traditional mining techniques used to extract materials such as copper are being abandoned in some cases in favor of other techniques that also produce these materials.
Removal of copper from Earth’s crust through mining has reduced this nonrenewable resource over time. Increased use of improved technologies, such as solvent extraction and electrowinning shown in Figure 1, has reduced the reliance on standard raw copper ore. These technologies are used in a process to extract copper from waste materials previously produced from traditional mining. The amount of waste available from previous mining makes the use of these technologies efficient for many years.
Traditional mining techniques used to extract materials such as copper are being abandoned in some cases in favor of other techniques that also produce these materials.
Removal of copper from Earth’s crust through mining has reduced this nonrenewable resource over time. Increased use of improved technologies, such as solvent extraction and electrowinning shown in Figure 1, has reduced the reliance on standard raw copper ore. These technologies are used in a process to extract copper from waste materials previously produced from traditional mining. The amount of waste available from previous mining makes the use of these technologies efficient for many years.
Traditional mining techniques used to extract materials such as copper are being abandoned in some cases in favor of other techniques that also produce these materials.
Removal of copper from Earth’s crust through mining has reduced this nonrenewable resource over time. Increased use of improved technologies, such as solvent extraction and electrowinning shown in Figure 1, has reduced the reliance on standard raw copper ore. These technologies are used in a process to extract copper from waste materials previously produced from traditional mining. The amount of waste available from previous mining makes the use of these technologies efficient for many years.
While most objects in the solar system travel around the Sun in nearly circular orbits, objects such as Halley’s Comet travel in orbits that are clearly elliptical.
Figure 1 models the orbits of Earth, Neptune, and Halley’s Comet around the Sun (not to scale). The labeled points mark the path of Halley’s Comet.
Table 1 compares data relevant to the orbits of Earth, Neptune, and Halley’s Comet.
Table 1. Orbit Data
Measure | Earth | Neptune | Halley’s Comet |
|---|---|---|---|
Mass (kg) | 5.97 × 1024 | 1.02 × 1026 | 2.2 × 1014 |
Average distance | 1.00 | 30.07 | 17.83 |
Semi-major axis | 1.00 | 30.11 | 17.83 |
Distance between | 0.0167 | 0.285 | 17.2 |
Eccentricity (e) is a measure that indicates the extent to which an orbit is elliptical. The value of e equals the distance between the foci of an orbit (f) divided by the length of the semi-major axis of the orbit (R).
Which is the orbital eccentricity of Halley’s Comet?
While most objects in the solar system travel around the Sun in nearly circular orbits, objects such as Halley’s Comet travel in orbits that are clearly elliptical.
Figure 1 models the orbits of Earth, Neptune, and Halley’s Comet around the Sun (not to scale). The labeled points mark the path of Halley’s Comet.
Table 1 compares data relevant to the orbits of Earth, Neptune, and Halley’s Comet.
Table 1. Orbit Data
Measure | Earth | Neptune | Halley’s Comet |
|---|---|---|---|
Mass (kg) | 5.97 × 1024 | 1.02 × 1026 | 2.2 × 1014 |
Average distance | 1.00 | 30.07 | 17.83 |
Semi-major axis | 1.00 | 30.11 | 17.83 |
Distance between | 0.0167 | 0.285 | 17.2 |
While most objects in the solar system travel around the Sun in nearly circular orbits, objects such as Halley’s Comet travel in orbits that are clearly elliptical.
Figure 1 models the orbits of Earth, Neptune, and Halley’s Comet around the Sun (not to scale). The labeled points mark the path of Halley’s Comet.
Table 1 compares data relevant to the orbits of Earth, Neptune, and Halley’s Comet.
Table 1. Orbit Data
Measure | Earth | Neptune | Halley’s Comet |
|---|---|---|---|
Mass (kg) | 5.97 × 1024 | 1.02 × 1026 | 2.2 × 1014 |
Average distance | 1.00 | 30.07 | 17.83 |
Semi-major axis | 1.00 | 30.11 | 17.83 |
Distance between | 0.0167 | 0.285 | 17.2 |
Sunspot activity rises and falls regularly in 11-year cycles, but the amount of variation from one cycle to the next appears to be random.
Earth’s climate is directly impacted by the Sun’s output, and the appearance of sunspots has been associated with greater solar output. Figure 1 represents an estimation of sunspot activity for the past 11,000 years based on observations and models.
Based on Figure 1, which statement best summarizes the pattern of sunspot activity over the past 2,000 years?
Sunspot activity rises and falls regularly in 11-year cycles, but the amount of variation from one cycle to the next appears to be random.
Earth’s climate is directly impacted by the Sun’s output, and the appearance of sunspots has been associated with greater solar output. Figure 1 represents an estimation of sunspot activity for the past 11,000 years based on observations and models.
Sunspot activity rises and falls regularly in 11-year cycles, but the amount of variation from one cycle to the next appears to be random.
Earth’s climate is directly impacted by the Sun’s output, and the appearance of sunspots has been associated with greater solar output. Figure 1 represents an estimation of sunspot activity for the past 11,000 years based on observations and models.
Even though plastics break down into smaller pieces, most plastics do not completely degrade in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is an area where plastic debris and other trash accumulates in the ocean.
This could have harmful consequences on marine life. The tiny plastic pieces are often mistaken for food. One potential solution focuses on preventing plastic waste from reaching the oceans, a problem known as “plastic waste leakage.”
Information about annual usage, collection, and plastic waste leakage for the Philippines and China are shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Engineers seek to define the problem of plastic trash debris in the GPGP and develop potential solutions to reduce plastic waste in the ocean. Move each question to place it in the appropriate engineering design step in which it should be addressed.
Drag and drop the answers in the correct boxes.
Even though plastics break down into smaller pieces, most plastics do not completely degrade in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is an area where plastic debris and other trash accumulates in the ocean.
This could have harmful consequences on marine life. The tiny plastic pieces are often mistaken for food. One potential solution focuses on preventing plastic waste from reaching the oceans, a problem known as “plastic waste leakage.”
Information about annual usage, collection, and plastic waste leakage for the Philippines and China are shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Even though plastics break down into smaller pieces, most plastics do not completely degrade in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is an area where plastic debris and other trash accumulates in the ocean.
This could have harmful consequences on marine life. The tiny plastic pieces are often mistaken for food. One potential solution focuses on preventing plastic waste from reaching the oceans, a problem known as “plastic waste leakage.”
Information about annual usage, collection, and plastic waste leakage for the Philippines and China are shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Even though plastics break down into smaller pieces, most plastics do not completely degrade in the ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is an area where plastic debris and other trash accumulates in the ocean.
This could have harmful consequences on marine life. The tiny plastic pieces are often mistaken for food. One potential solution focuses on preventing plastic waste from reaching the oceans, a problem known as “plastic waste leakage.”
Information about annual usage, collection, and plastic waste leakage for the Philippines and China are shown in Figures 1 and 2.
Which statements are best supported by the data?
Select two of the six statements.
The ice sheets reflect energy from sunlight back into space and allow the Earth to stay cooler. If the ice sheets melt, the amount of energy reflected will change, and thus the temperature of the Earth can change.
Based on the data, complete the model to show how a change in the ice sheets leads to changes in other Earth systems.
Drag and drop the answers in the correct boxes. Not all answers will be used.
Based on Figure 1, which questions, if answered, would best help scientists determine the long-term economic and environmental impacts of using this process for extracting copper?
Select two of the six questions.
The solvent extraction-electrowinning technology has improved over time. Approximately 2.2 million tons of high-quality copper were produced using this technology in the year 2000. Table 1 shows the advancement of this technology, which includes how the solvent that extracts the copper has changed.
Table 1. Changes in Solvent Technology over Time
Property | 1965 | 1970 | 1980 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ability of solvent to remove copper ions from acid | Poor | Poor | Good | Excellent |
Separation of copper ions from iron ions | Poor | Good | Good | Excellent |
Speed of copper ion removal | Slow | Medium | Fast | Fast |
Stability against decomposition | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Poor |
Generation of impurities | Medium | Low | Medium | Low |
Ability to chemically modify solvent to extract different metal ions | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent |
Which property of the solvent may be a limitation of the advancement of this technology in the future?
Along with using new technology to extract copper, conserving copper through recycling also has long-lasting benefits.
Table 2. Economic Benefits of Recycling Copper
| Extraction | Recycling |
|---|---|---|
Energy Required | 100 | 10 |
Cost | $16,200 | $14,600 |
Air Pollution | 400,000 | 56,000 |
Indicate which claims about the potential benefits of recycling copper are supported by Table 2 and which are not supported by Table 2.
Select all of the correct answers.
Supported | Not Supported | |
|---|---|---|
Extracted copper produces more energy. | ||
Recycled copper is worth 10% more than raw copper ore. | ||
Recycling requires only 10% of the energy needed for extraction. | ||
It is cheaper to recycle old copper than to mine and extract new copper. | ||
Recycled copper produces the same amount of air pollution as raw copper ore. |
The orbital period is the amount of time it takes a body to make one complete revolution around the Sun. The square of the orbital period (T) is proportional to the cube of the length of the semi-major axis of orbit (R).
Based on this expression and Table 1, which body has the shortest orbital period?
The gravitational force (F) between two objects is proportional to their masses and distance, as shown in the equation
where m1 is the mass of one object, m2 is the mass of a second object, and d is the distance between the two objects.
Based on Figure 1, at which labeled point in its orbit is the gravitational force between the Sun and Halley’s Comet the greatest?
Figure 2 shows temperature trends for central England and the Northern Hemisphere from 1600–2000.
Figure 3 shows sunspot activity from 1600–2000.
Which statement correctly describes the relationship between the temperature trend in the Northern Hemisphere and sunspot activity between 1900 and 2000?
Which potential solutions address the challenge of plastic waste in the ocean?
Select three of the six solutions.
Which potential solutions address the challenge of plastic waste in the ocean?
Select three of the six solutions.
