AP Env. Science A Course Resources
Module 7: Energy Use and Energy Sources
Instructor Information
Email: Emily.Kroutil@gavirtualschool.org
Phone: 470-238-8663 (voicemail)
Energy Study Guide
ASSIGNMENT RESOURCES AND TIPS
ASSIGNMENT: Energy Problems Review Sheet
- The handout and activity for this assignment is on page 3 of the module.
- Be sure to show your work on these problems. On the AP Exam, you will need to show your work for the math in order to earn credit for any math problems.
- Q: I have come across a question on the energy review dropbox assignment that is stumping me. It is number 5:
What is the efficiency of a gas-burning furnace that heats 5,000 lbs of water 25 degrees Fahrenheit by burning 210 cubic feet of gas?
I know the formula for percent efficiency is work out/work in times 100. With this question, though, I don't know how to find those pieces of info to find the answer.
- A: Some of these problems are kind of tricky! Much harder than what you will see on the AP exam.
Here’s what I did:
1. I found out how many BTUs were used/produced by the stove.
2. Find the “raw” BTUs produced by burning 210 cubic feet of gas.
3. Calculate efficiency by (answer to step 1)/(answer to step 2)
Lab: Nuclear Power Plant/Nuclear Waste
- The handout for this lab can be found on page 4 of the module.
- Be sure to read the lab completely before beginning your investigation.
- This site has a tour of a nuclear power plant.
- You will need to write a lab report for Part II. Don't forget to include your power plant and descriptions for Part III.
- This site (https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx) is a great resource for creating a graph. Excel is also a popular choice. This VIDEO shows you how to create a graph with Excel.
- Q: My kit did not come with pH strips. What should I do?
- A: I’m sorry your kit didn’t come with pH paper. If possible, I would ask a science teacher at your school if you could borrow 9 pieces of pH paper. When I taught in a face-to-face school, the chemistry, physical science, and AP Environmental Science teachers all had pH paper.
If they won’t let you borrow pH paper, use food coloring instead of drain cleaner. Then follow all of the steps as written, but with a cotton ball that has food coloring on it, instead of drain cleaner. Then, you’ll be able to see if the “nuclear waste” (food coloring) leaked because the water will change color.
- Q: The rubric for this lab is much different than past lab reports as the grading policy is not set up like usual. Namely, it has a section devoted to "Discussion of Theory." Should I have a separate section called Discussion of Theory, or am I allowed to meet the section's criteria in the introduction and conclusion sections. Is the theory the same as the hypothesis?
- A: The theory section can be included in the introduction, but is not the hypothesis. The introduction of a lab report should have background information about the topic (in this case nuclear energy, nuclear waste, problems with nuclear waste disposal, etc.). This is basically the "theory" for this lab. You will want to cite your sources at the end.
- Q: Are there any question we are supposed to answer for analysis, and if not, is the graph of my data all that needs to be included in the section.
- A: This rubric doesn't really have an analysis section. However, it does ask that you do the following (which you can place in an analysis section or a conclusion section):
1. Relative error, if appropriate, has been calculated.
2. Specific sources of experimental error are addressed.
3. Write-up analyzes the effect of errors on the magnitude of calculated quantities.
4. Explains how the calculations do or do not support the theory and fulfill the purpose of the lab.
- Q: I'm slightly confused on the part 3 section. Is this to be done in the lab report, or is it a separate assignment?
- A: You can put this information at the end of your lab report or in a separate document. It is up to you.
- Q: The lab says we need to collect data for 3 days. Do we really have to collect data for that long?
- A: No, you do not need to collect data for 3 days, but you need to collect data for at least a 24 hour period and you'll want to have at least 3 data points so you can make some comparisons as to whether the pH is increasing, decreasing, or staying the same.
- Q: How should I measure the pH?
- A: You can use the solutions for measuring pH that came in your water quality testing kit. You should have plenty of tests left in your kit since you only tested the pH once for the water quality lab.
QUIZ: Energy Basics/Nonrenewable Energy Quiz
- Be sure to read and take notes on the information in the content BEFORE attempting the quiz
Q: The two countries of Youlandia and Atopia share one single power plant with a current maximum capacity of 5 gigawatts (5,000,000 kW). Atopia is small and prosperous, with a stable population of 500,000 and average energy use of 8 kW per capita. Youlandia is larger (pop.=1,000,000), less developed (per capita energy use = 1 kW), and growing fast (population and per capita energy use doubling every 20 years). For how long will the existing power plant be able to supply all of the demand for electricity of the two countries?
A:
A:
500,000 people
8 kW/person
stable population (doesn't change)
Usage: 500,000x8 = 4,000,000 kW
Y:
1,000,000 people
1 kw/person
population/usage doubling every 20 years
CURRENT Usage: 1,000,000x1=1,000,000
PowerPlant's current capacity: 5,000,000 kW
A+Y Current usage: 4,000,000+1,000,000=5,000,000
The plant is currently AT capacity.
- Q: The two countries of Youlandia and Atopia share one single power plant with a current maximum capacity of 5 gigawatts (5,000,000 kW). Atopia is small and prosperous, with a stable population of 500,000 and average energy use of 8 kW per capita. Youlandia is larger (pop.=1,000,000), less developed (per capita energy use = 1 kW), and growing fast (population and per capita energy use doubling every 20 years). Today, Atopia uses 80% of the electricity generated. Assuming that the capacity of the power plant continues to just meet demand, what percent of the plant’s capacity will it use in 40 years? ".
- A:
Y:
Population Change: 1,000,000x2 = 2,000,000 (20 years) x2 = 4,000,000 (40 years)
Usage Change: 1kWx2 = 2kW (20 years) x2 = 4kW (20 years)
Usage 40 years from now: 4,000,000x4 = 16,000,000
So the total usage would be 4,000,000+16,000,000 = 20,000,000 kW
So A would use:
4,000,000/20,000,000 = 20% of the total usage
LAB: PERSONAL ENERGY AUDIT
- The handout for this lab can be found on page 6 of the module.
- Complete all sections of this personal energy audit showing all calculations with units. Work can be shown by scanning or taking a photograph of handwritten problems or typing out the set-up for each problem in words or numbers.
- Make sure you complete the hypothesis, table, questions, and conclusion.
- This video walks you through the lab: Personal Energy Audit Lab Walkthrough
- Here is the link to the document I edited in the walkthrough video: Personal Energy Audit Handout EDITED
Assignment: Energy Sources Chart
- The handout and activity for this assignment is on page 5 of the module.
Discussion: What Does The Future Hold?
- Use the RUBRIC to help you write a discussion posting that will earn full points.
- Make sure when you respond to your classmates that you post AT LEAST a 4+ sentence response. "I agree with..." or "I disagree with..." is not enough to earn full points for a response. You must say why you agree or disagree and back up your reasoning.
FRQ: Energy Use
- To receive full credit for the free response question, you will need to show all steps necessary to explain how the answer was found.
- The College Board used to offer 11 possible points for each FRQ, but a student can never earn more than 10 points on an FRQ. So your FRQs will be graded out of 10 points.
- Watch these videos for help answering FRQs: FRQ Tips and Tricks Part 1, FRQ Tips and Tricks Part 2
- FRQs may NOT be resubmitted for a higher grade.
TEST: Energy Use
- Check the feedback on your quizzes and review your notes BEFORE you begin the test and review those weak areas BEFORE you begin the test.