4th Grade Science : Describe how energy and fuel affects the environment

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

The top resources used for fuel and energy in 2019 were coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas. These are resources that are mined from the Earth and nonrenewable. What type of effect could this have on the environment?

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Possible Answers:

The Earth is damaged when we mine for these resources, but luckily we will not run out. Humans reduce pollution in the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

There is no effect on the environment.

The Earth is healed when we mine for these resources, and we will not run out. Humans remove pollution from the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

The Earth is damaged when we mine for these resources, and eventually, we will run out. Humans add more pollution to the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

Correct answer:

The Earth is damaged when we mine for these resources, and eventually, we will run out. Humans add more pollution to the air running the machines to mine for nonrenewable resources.

Explanation:

Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all nonrenewable resources that require mining and removal from under the Earth's surface to use for power and energy. These resources are efficient and useful but come at a cost. Heavy machines that pollute the air, deforestation, stripping the ground of nutrients, and the eventual extinction of these supplies are all adverse effects they have on the environment.

Example Question #2 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

To use fossil fuels, they must be mined from the Earth and then burned to create a chemical reaction. What type of effect on the environment may there be from burning fossil fuels?

Possible Answers:

Reduced expenses

Additional expenses

Additional air pollution

Reduced air pollution 

Correct answer:

Additional air pollution

Explanation:

There is much debate about the use of fossil fuels because of their effect on the environment. Fossil fuels must be burned to create a chemical reaction, and people are concerned that this creates additional air pollution that will only add to the environmental issues that we currently have. There is a concern about the expense of fossil fuels, but that is not an environmental issue, that is a financial issue.

Example Question #1 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Which answer choice is a negative effect that coal has on the environment?

Possible Answers:

Requires limited transportation

More abundant than oil

Found all around the world

Mining damage to wildlife habitat

Correct answer:

Mining damage to wildlife habitat

Explanation:

Coal is a fossil fuel that is nonrenewable and is created throughout millions of years by combining the remains of organisms and applying immense pressure. There are benefits to using coal, but a primary environmental concern is the damage mining causes to wildlife habitats in the areas of the digging. The land is cleared to make room for workers and machinery, and animals are displaced during this time; the earth is left barren adn stripped of many needed minerals, so vegetation becomes limited.

Example Question #2 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Which answer choice is a negative effect on the environment caused by wind energy?

Possible Answers:

Noise pollution

No air pollution

Provide electricity to use at home, school, etc.

Can be built on existing farms

Correct answer:

Noise pollution

Explanation:

Wind energy is a renewable resource and an increasingly more popular replacement for traditional fossil fuels and power plants. One negative effect that wind energy may have on the environment is noise pollution. There is construction needed to build the wind turbines necessary, which creates noise as well as the maintenance and daily sounds produced by the turbines and generators. Wind energy has many positive effects on the environment as well, so the pros and cons must be weighed to makes decisions about the best energy source.

Example Question #1 : Formation And Uses Of Energy

The top resources used for fuel and energy in 2019 were coal, natural gas, and petroleum gas. These are resources that are mined from the Earth and nonrenewable. What type of effect would there be on the environment if people switched to renewable resources like wind, water, and solar power?

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Possible Answers:

Cleaner energy sources available to the public

Less pollution

Fewer animal habitats destroyed

All of the answer choices are correct

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct

Explanation:

Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all nonrenewable resources that require mining and removal from under the Earth’s surface to use for power and energy. These resources are efficient and useful but come at a cost. Heavy machines that pollute the air, deforestation, stripping the ground of nutrients, and the eventual extinction of these supplies are all adverse effects they have on the environment. If we were to switch to renewable resources, there would be less concern for running out of energy sources, less pollution, fewer animal habitats destroyed, less deforestation, and cleaner energy sources available to the public. There are many benefits to switching to alternative fuels and replacing fossil fuels.

Example Question #6 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Coal Power

The typical coal plant in the United States creates more than 125,000 tons of ash and 193,000 tons of sludge each year. On average, 42% of coal combustion waste ponds and landfills are unlined. This means that the substances in the waste can seep into the ground and nearby lakes. Some of the substances include arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. These can contaminate drinking water supplies and come in direct contact with the consumers who drink water from these areas.

The disposal of coal plant waste has damaged many ecosystems. Once the coal plants have cycled through billions of gallons of water to cool the system, it is dumped back into the river, ocean, or lake it is pulling water from. When this hot water is released back into the body of water, it creates “thermal pollution,” and this can cause harm to the plants and animals living in this area. Many plants add chemicals to their cooling water, so this is released back into the lake, ocean, or river with the hot water.

This article focuses on the various impacts that producing power with coal can have on the environment. Which answer choice(s) list a NEGATIVE example of how coal affects the environment?

Possible Answers:

The water released from the power plants is much warmer than the body of water it flows into, so it creates thermal pollution.

Chemicals added to the cooling water are released back into rivers, ocean, or lakes.

None of the answer choices are correct.

All of the answer choices are correct.

Waste substances can seep into the ground and drinking water contaminating it for those who consume it.

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Petroleum, natural gas, and coal are all nonrenewable resources that require mining and removal from under the Earth's surface to use for power and energy. These resources are efficient and useful but come at a cost. This article focuses on the way coal power plants impact the environment. All of the answer choices listed are the adverse effects of the plant. Creating thermal pollution, releasing chemicals into oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as contaminating the ground and drinking water, are all negative examples of the effect fossil fuels have on the environment.

Example Question #151 : 4th Grade Science

Based on the graph below from the Energy Information Administration, if the US population wanted to reduce coal consumption which area would potentially have the greatest positive impact?

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Possible Answers:

Business

Homes

Electricity

Industry

Transportation

Correct answer:

Electricity

Explanation:

Coal is used in a variety of ways, and the US is reliant on fossil fuels based on the graph above. Mining fossil fuels has an impact on the environment, and they aren't all positive. If the US population wanted to reduce their coal consumption, the area that would potentially have the most significant impact would be the electricity sector. 54% of US electricity is produced using coal. If the US were able to switch to an alternative energy source, the use of coal could be significantly reduced, which may have a positive impact on the environment.

Example Question #8 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Coal Power

The typical coal plant in the United States creates more than 125,000 tons of ash and 193,000 tons of sludge each year. On average, 42% of coal combustion waste ponds and landfills are unlined. This means that the substances in the waste can seep into the ground and nearby lakes. Some of the substances include arsenic, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. These can contaminate drinking water supplies and come in direct contact with the consumers who drink water from these areas.

The disposal of coal plant waste has damaged many ecosystems. Once the coal plants have cycled through billions of gallons of water to cool the system, it is dumped back into the river, ocean, or lake it is pulling water from. When this hot water is released back into the body of water, it creates “thermal pollution,” and this can cause harm to the plants and animals living in this area. Many plants add chemicals to their cooling water, so this is released back into the lake, ocean, or river with the hot water.

Based on the information from this article, which part of the environment is affected by coal power plants?

Possible Answers:

Water Sources

Air

All of the answer choices are correct.

Forests

Correct answer:

Water Sources

Explanation:

This article focuses on how coal power plants affect the environment in negative ways. The portion of the environment highlighted in this article are the water sources. The article mentions the warm water being released back into oceans, lakes, or rivers it is pulled from, the potential of chemicals being added back into the bodies of water, and how it can seep into the ground of the water sources.

Example Question #9 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

True or False: Fossil fuels primarily have positive impacts on the environment.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

The statement in the question is false. Fossil fuels are beneficial to humans and fulfill the needs we have for power, electricity, and industrialization, but it comes at a cost to the environment. Mining and stripping the soil, deforestation, water and air pollution, and loss of animal habitats are just a few of the adverse effects that fossil fuels have on the environment.

Example Question #10 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Affects The Environment

Based on the graph below, which fossil fuel is currently on a decline in usage?

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Possible Answers:

Biomass

Petroleum

Natural Gas

Coal

Correct answer:

Coal

Explanation:

Based on the graph provided by the US Energy Information Administration, coal is currently on a decline in usage. Following the black line (representing coal), it can be seen that there is a decrease in use. The other energy type is on increasing in usage.

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