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EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE

Chapter 1

Know how energy is used around the world, there are differences between developed and developing countries.
Know the sources of the energy used as above.
Be able to explain exponential growth.
Be able to discuss the differences between renewable and nonrenewable resources.
Be able to discuss the two types of energy conservation, and give examples.

Chapter 2

Be able to discuss the different forms of energy, i.e. thermal, chemical, etc.
Know the Newtonian Laws of Motion, as well as the Laws of Thermodynamics.
This chapter is mostly about energy mechanics, so you should be able to solve the problems posed at the end of the chapter.  These would be problems involving Motion, Energy and Work, Power, Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration.

Chapter 3

Know the differences between the conservation of energy and energy conservation.
Be able to discuss efficiency, particularly in a system of sequential energy conversions.
Be able to solve problems similar to those at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 4

The Chapter is about Heat and Work.  It expands upon our understanding of the Laws of Thermodynamics.
Be able to discuss the differences between Heat and Temperature.
Be able to discuss specific heat.
Be able to calculate the energy involved in phase changes of H²O.
Know how heat is transferred.  How can we use this knowledge to move hot air around in our dwellings to where we want it?
Be able to discuss Heat Engines.

Chapter 6

We are dealing with the passive and active devices for collecting and utilizing solar heat.  We are not dealing in this chapter with those devices that directly convert solar energy into electricity.
Know what affects the amount of solar radiation that a particular portion of the Earth's surface receives.
Be able to discuss the pros and cons of solar heating for hot water and space heating.

Chapter 8

Know, and be able to identify, and/or discuss the properties and motion of the Earth's atmosphere.
Know the forms of air pollution and their sources.
Be able to discuss the Air Quality Standards.
Be able to identify or discuss and comment on the pros and cons of various automotive emission control devices as well as those for stationary systems.

Chapter 9

Be able to discuss the concept of global warming and the greenhouse effect.  Know the various gases that contribute to these problems, where they are derived and what can be done about them.
Be able to discuss the Ozone layer and its problems.
Thermal pollution, both air and water, is a problem with fossil fuel fired plants.  What are their effects on the environment?  What can be done about this form of pollution?
Be able to discuss the massive experiment that we are conducting upon ourselves.

Energy in Earth Systems

What are the sources of the heat within the Earth? How is this heat manifested?
Know Plate Tectonics and how it works, including the data to support it, the types of
boundaries and where they are located.
How is this heat used and how can it be used?  What are the methods of acquiring this heat and their pros and cons?

Know about this subject in a vein similar to that of Energy in the Earth Systems.

Fossil fuels

What are the fossil fuels?  How are they formed?  From what?  Where are they found?
How do we categorize the quantities that have been produced, and remain to be produced?
Be able to explain the history of price fluctuations in Petroleum prices.
Know the few refining techniques that I mentioned in class and how they work.
What about the methods of production, i.e. primary, secondary, etc?
What is the origin of coal?  What are the various ranks of coal?
What are the unconventional sources of fossil fuels?
What are the benefits and problems with each?
Are we running out?

Know the early history of the atomic hypothesis.
What is an ion? Isotope? What is radiation? Alpha, Beta and Gamma?
Be able to explain the parts of an atom and what properties each has.
Where does the energy come from when you fuse hydrogen to produce helium?
Know the history of nuclear power in the United States.
I spoke in general terms about two basic types of nuclear reactors.  What are the differences between them, the similarities?
Be able to explain the fuel cycle.

Be able to explain the electrical charge and current/
What is Ohm’s Law? Superconductivity? Fuel Cells?
How do we price electrical energy use?
How do we generate electricity?
How has the electric Utility Industry been restructured? Does it work?
Be able to explain the generation of electricity and its transmission. What is the standard steam-electric generating plant cycle?
What is cogeneration? Why may it be important?

This is the clean-up exam. I have covered some of the alternative energy sources in
class. On the exam I will ask some general questions about energy. These questions
harkens from the beginning of the semester and are of a general nature.

We have discussed the direct conversion of sunlight into energy. This module was
concerned with the direct conversion to electricity by photovoltaic action. Do you
know the basics of such a conversion? The conversion is completed by doping a
silicon wafer with what? To produce what type conductors? What are the differences
in efficiency in the single crystal vs. amorphous silicon conductors?

We also discussed wind energy. Why did this form of energy become popular in the
1980’s? The electrical power developed is proportional to what? what are the types of wind mills? What are the advantages of each? Disadvantages?

Be able to discuss the solar thermal electric facilities. What are they? Etc.

What is biomass? What does it represent? How can we reduce the amount of trash?
Problems with disposal sites.

What is the principle behind OTEC? How does it work? What are some of the recently
discovered advantages to its operation?

What about wave and tidal generated power? Where are they used? What are the
disadvantages or advantages of each?