![The National Academies: What You Need To Know About Energy](/energy/media/images/site/print-header.gif)
What You Need To Know About Energy
What do you know about energy?
If electricity production wastes between 40 and 65% of the primary energy source, why is it used?
- Producing electricity is a way to store energy.
- Electricity production results in no harmful emissions.
- Electricity is a versatile energy carrier.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Most direct uses of primary energy are limited to generating heat and motion. Electricity, by contrast, is extremely versatile, with a wide range of complex applications.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Most direct uses of primary energy are limited to generating heat and motion. Electricity, by contrast, is extremely versatile, with a wide range of complex applications.
-
Correct!
Most direct uses of primary energy are limited to generating heat and motion. Electricity, by contrast, is extremely versatile, with a wide range of complex applications.
True or False: Burning biofuels does not release carbon dioxide.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Biofuels contain carbon and although they may burn “cleaner” than oil-derived fuels, they do not avoid generating carbon dioxide emissions.
-
Correct!
Biofuels contain carbon and although they may burn “cleaner” than oil-derived fuels, they do not avoid generating carbon dioxide emissions.
In 2014, what percentage of the United States' total energy consumption came from oil?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2014, the United States got 35% of its energy from petroleum, and experts project that demand for this fuel will rise at least through 2020.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2014, the United States got 35% of its energy from petroleum, and experts project that demand for this fuel will rise at least through 2020.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
In 2014, the United States got 35% of its energy from petroleum, and experts project that demand for this fuel will rise at least through 2020.
-
Correct!
In 2014, the United States got 35% of its energy from petroleum, and experts project that demand for this fuel will rise at least through 2020.
Which of the following energy sources releases carbon dioxide when burned?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas all release CO2 when burned.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas all release CO2 when burned.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas all release CO2 when burned.
-
Correct!
Gasoline, diesel fuel, and natural gas all release CO2 when burned.
Combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel emits which of the following?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted by vehicles running on gasoline and diesel fuel.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted by vehicles running on gasoline and diesel fuel.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted by vehicles running on gasoline and diesel fuel.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
All of the above are emitted by vehicles running on gasoline and diesel fuel.
-
Correct!
All of the above are emitted by vehicles running on gasoline and diesel fuel.
What technology was most responsible for increase in lighting efficiency from 45 Im/W in 2001 to 58 Im/W in 2010?
- Increase in efficiency of incandescent light bulbs
- Increase in efficiency of candles
- Increase use of compact fluorescent lights
- Increased use of LED lights
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.
-
Correct!
Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Increasing market share of compact fluorescents was primarily responsible for the increased lighting efficiency between 2001 and 2010.
True or false? Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have increased oil and gas production in the U.S.
-
Correct!
Extraction of "tight" oil—light crude oil contained in geological formations of shale or sandstone—accounted for only 12% of total U.S. oil production in 2008. By 2012, it made up 35%, and is predicted to rise to 50% in the near term.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
Extraction of "tight" oil—light crude oil contained in geological formations of shale or sandstone—accounted for only 12% of total U.S. oil production in 2008. By 2012, it made up 35%, and is predicted to rise to 50% in the near term.
On average, which is most efficient in coverting heat into electic power?
- Coal boiler power plant
- Natural gas-fired turbine power plant
- Natural gas combined-cycle power plant
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
On average, a typical coal-burning power plant in 2013 was about 33% efficient in converting heat energy into electrical power. A gas-fired plant was about 42% efficient. And in natural gas combined-cycle power plants—in which waste heat from a natural gas turbine is used to power a steam turbine—generation may be as much as 60% efficient.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
On average, a typical coal-burning power plant in 2013 was about 33% efficient in converting heat energy into electrical power. A gas-fired plant was about 42% efficient. And in natural gas combined-cycle power plants—in which waste heat from a natural gas turbine is used to power a steam turbine—generation may be as much as 60% efficient.
-
Correct!
On average, a typical coal-burning power plant in 2013 was about 33% efficient in converting heat energy into electrical power. A gas-fired plant was about 42% efficient. And in natural gas combined-cycle power plants—in which waste heat from a natural gas turbine is used to power a steam turbine—generation may be as much as 60% efficient.
On average, how much solar radiation reaches each square meter of earth?
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
On average, even after passing through hundreds of kilometers of air on a clear day, solar radiation reaches Earth with enough energy in a single square meter to run a mid-size desktop computer-if all the sunlight could be captured and converted to electricity.
-
Correct!
On average, even after passing through hundreds of kilometers of air on a clear day, solar radiation reaches Earth with enough energy in a single square meter to run a mid-size desktop computer-if all the sunlight could be captured and converted to electricity.
-
Sorry, that’s incorrect.
On average, even after passing through hundreds of kilometers of air on a clear day, solar radiation reaches Earth with enough energy in a single square meter to run a mid-size desktop computer-if all the sunlight could be captured and converted to electricity.
Thank you for taking our quiz.
Place this badge on your facebook page to show your friends what you know about energy.
Place this badge on your facebook page to show your friends what you know about energy.
Place this badge on your facebook page to show your friends what you know about energy.
Explore Other Topics
Energy Hands-on
Understanding Efficiency
Learn the significance of energy efficiencyThe Promise of Better Lighting
Energy savings through lighting technologyOur Energy System
A visualization of all our energy sourcesEnergy Defined
- Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)
A device that emits light due to electronic excitation of mercury atoms within a lamp. The mercury atoms lose their excitation energy by emitting an ultraviolet photon, which is converted to visible light in the fluorescent coating of the bulb. CFLs are much more efficient in converting electrical energy to light energy than incandescent bulbs.