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AP®Environmental ScienceCollege BoardExam QuestionsUnit 6: Energy Resources & ConsumptionEnergy Conservation

Energy Conservation (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Exam Questions

9 mins9 questions
11 mark

 A family is considering replacing their current refrigerator which is 20 years old with a new, Energy Star appliance. Their current refrigerator used approximately 1900 kWh per year; the Energy Star refrigerator uses 425 kWh per year. Which of the following is the correct mathematical routine to determine how much energy they could save over the course of 20 years?

  • 1900 space k W h space x space 425 space k W h

  • fraction numerator 1900 space k W h minus 425 space k W h over denominator 1 space y e a r end fraction space cross times space 20 space y e a r s space

  • 1900 space k W h minus 425 space k W h cross times space 100 percent sign

  • fraction numerator 1900 space k W h over denominator 425 space k W h end fraction

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21 mark

Which of the following would be the most effective method for reducing energy consumption on a large scale?

  • Planting trees in urban areas to provide shade.

  • Promoting the use of bicycles over cars for personal transportation.

  • Encouraging individuals to turn off unused lights in their homes

  • Increasing fuel economy standards for all cars and trucks. 

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31 mark

A homeowner uses thirteen- 75 watt light bulbs for an average of 5.5 hours per day for the entire year. Which of the following represents the total amount of energy they use for lighting in one year?

  • 413 kWh/year

  • 975  kWh/year

  • 1957 kWh/year

  • 5363 kWh/year

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41 mark

Which of the following best explains why hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are more efficient than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles?

  • HEVs use low-rolling resistance tires to reduce friction and improve fuel efficiency.

  • HEVs utilize regenerative braking to capture and reuse energy that would otherwise be lost during braking.

  • HEVs have larger engines that provide more power with less fuel consumption.

  • HEVs operate solely on electric power, eliminating the need for fuel.

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51 mark

A furnace consumes 100,000 BTUs of natural gas and delivers 80,000 BTUs of heat to a home. What is the energy efficiency of the furnace?

  • 70%

  • 75%

  • 80%

  • 85%

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61 mark

Which of the following is a strategy the government can implement to encourage people to reduce their energy consumption?

  • Providing subsidies for fossil fuel production to keep energy prices low

  • Implementing a tax on renewable energy sources to encourage traditional energy use

  • Offering tax incentives or rebates for homeowners who install energy-efficient appliances or solar panels

  • Increasing subsidies for coal and oil industries to ensure energy affordability

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71 mark

 A homeowner decides to lower their thermostat by 3°F during the winter to reduce heating costs. If their home typically uses 800 kWh of electricity per month for heating, and lowering the thermostat by 1°F results in a 3% energy savings, how much energy will they save per month by lowering the thermostat by 3°F?

  • 24 kWh

  • 48 kWh

  • 72 kWh

  • 96 kWh

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81 mark

A family currently uses an old refrigerator that consumes 1,200 kWh of electricity per year. They decide to replace it with a new ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator that only uses 400 kWh per year. The cost of electricity where they live is $0.15 per kWh. 

How much energy will the family save annually by making this switch?

  • 400 kWh

  • 600 kWh

  • 800 kWh

  • 1,000 kW

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91 mark

How much money will the family save per year by switching to the ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator?

  • $60

  • $90

  • $120

  • $150

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