4th Grade Science : Earth and Space Science

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : Earth And Space 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?

Screen shot 2020 09 02 at 8.40.43 am

Possible Answers:

Electricity

Industry

Homes

Business

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.

Example Question #1 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Are Created

A material that is found in nature and helpful to humans is called a ________________.

Possible Answers:

natural resource

mineral

energy resource

nutrient resource

Correct answer:

natural resource

Explanation:

Humans receive many of our resources from nature, and they are called natural resources. These are things like water, trees, and wind that are naturally occurring, and humans can harness their energy to create power for the everyday things we need. Humans will also mine for resources that are naturally occurring so that we can transform them into other necessary products.

Example Question #2 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Are Created

What does the term "fuel" mean?

Possible Answers:

Fuel is a substance that provides energy as a result of a chemical change.

Fuel forms from the remains of ocean organisms.

Fuel is the burning of a substance.

Fuel is a renewable resource that is beneficial to the environment.

Correct answer:

Fuel is a substance that provides energy as a result of a chemical change.

Explanation:

Fuel is often thought of in terms of gasoline for a car, but it is any substance that provides energy from a chemical change. Food that we eat is turned into energy through our digestive system, so it is also a fuel. Fuel can be for machinery, the body, cars, and other mechanical items. Many of the fuels that we use are nonrenewable and can be harmful to the environment.

Example Question #3 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Are Created

Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. They are nonrenewable because they take millions of years to form. Earth’s oil took 500 million years to form. Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of organisms. Fossil fuels are rich in energy. Coal is formed from plant remains that have been buried for millions of years. Coal is the fuel used in many electrical power plants. Oil is a thick, black, liquid fossil fuel. Oil forms from the remains of ocean organisms. Petroleum is another name for oil. Natural gas is a mixture of gases. Natural gas forms from the remains of ocean organisms. 

How are fossil fuels created?

Possible Answers:

Grown in a laboratory for many years

Cut down from trees and processed

Remains of organisms put under pressure

Harvested from crops and greenhouses

Correct answer:

Remains of organisms put under pressure

Explanation:

Fossil fuels are all created underground or underwater from the remains of organisms. The short passage explains that they are all nonrenewable and take millions of years to form. Coal is from plants, and oil and natural gas are from ocean organisms. All fossil fuels were once a living thing that were placed under immense amounts of pressure over a long period to create the fuel that we need to run our energy and lives.

Example Question #3 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Are Created

Which answer choice lists only renewable energy sources?

Possible Answers:

Water, wind, solar, and thermal power

Natural gas, oil, petroleum, and solar power

Solar power, wind, water, and oil

Fossil fuels, wood, water, and wind

Correct answer:

Water, wind, solar, and thermal power

Explanation:

Renewable resources are created by nature and can be reused or regenerated quickly. They cause very little damage to the Earth and can be a cleaner way to generate the energy we need to live. Wind, water, solar, and thermal power are all products of the Earth and are renewable.

Example Question #4 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Are Created

Which answer choice lists only nonrenewable energy sources?

 

Possible Answers:

Wind, thermal, solar, and water

Oil, wind, coal, and natural gas

Water, oil, petroleum, and coal

Natural gas, oil, petroleum, and coal

Correct answer:

Natural gas, oil, petroleum, and coal

Explanation:

Nonrenewable energy sources are created when the Earth applies immense amounts of pressure to the remains of organisms buried deep below the surface. The materials must be dug or mined out of the ground and collected to be processed and used. Natural gas, oil, petroleum, and coal are all nonrenewable energy sources that are difficult to replace and will eventually run out.

Example Question #6 : Describe How Energy And Fuel Are Created

Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. They are nonrenewable because they take millions of years to form. Earth’s oil took 500 million years to develop. Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of organisms. Fossil fuels are rich in energy. Coal is formed from plant remains that have been buried for millions of years. Coal is the fuel used in many electrical power plants. Oil is a thick, black, liquid fossil fuel. Oil forms from the remains of ocean organisms. Petroleum is another name for oil. Natural gas is a mixture of gases. Natural gas forms from the remains of ocean organisms.

Fossil fuels are used for __________.

Possible Answers:

coal

oil

energy

plants

Correct answer:

energy

Explanation:

Fossil fuels are all created underground or underwater from the remains of organisms. The short passage explains that they are all nonrenewable and take millions of years to form. Coal is from plants, and oil and natural gas are from ocean organisms. All fossil fuels were once a living thing that were placed under immense amounts of pressure over a long period to create the fuel that we need to run our energy and lives. Fossil fuels are used for energy.

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