AP Environmental Science - Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption

Introduction

• Lecturer: Mr. Villarreal (Mr. V)
• Location: Mission, Texas
• Session: AP Daily Live Review, Day 5
• Focus: Unit 6 - Energy Resources and Consumption

AP Exam Reminders

• Formats: Paper and pencil, digital
• Full-length test: 80 multiple choice questions, 1.5 hours, 60% of score
• Question types: Standalone, set questions, quantitative data, data tables, charts, graphs, qualitative data, models, representations, maps, text-based questions
• Free Response: 3 questions, 1 hour 10 minutes, 40% of score
  • Design an investigation
  • Analyze an environmental problem/propose a solution
  • Analyze/propose a solution with calculations
• Allowed tools: Four-function, square root, scientific, graphing calculator
• Digital Exam Specifics:
  • School computer or Chromebook required
  • Must have power cord and internet connection
  • No backtracking between answered/unanswered questions
  • No handwritten responses; typed into the app
  • Security features to prevent cheating

Clarifications & FAQs

• FRQs Length: As long as in videos A-J
• Practice Tests: Access through AP Classroom/Teacher
• Answer Format: Bullet points allowed if full thought is presented
• Digital Test Navigation: Cannot go back to previous questions
• Conversion Formulas: Not provided; be familiar with the metric system
• Claim Support: No points lost for uncommon claims if evidence is provided

Energy Resources and Consumption

Types of Energy

• Non-Renewable: Fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas), nuclear
  • In fixed/finite amounts, not easily replenished
  • Pros and cons for each (review in AP Daily videos)
• Renewable: Solar, wind, water (hydroelectric), biomass, geothermal, hydrogen fuel cells
  • Can be replenished naturally at or near the rate of consumption

Visualization

• Non-Renewable: Nuclear, coal, oil, natural gas
• Renewable: Biomass, wind, water, solar, geothermal

Suitability and Use

• Not all energy sources are suitable for every occasion
• Examples:
  • Wood: Home use (firewood)
  • Peat: Home use, can be renewable/non-renewable
  • Coal/Natural Gas: Home use, power plants
  • Oil: Vehicle use, some home use

Developed vs. Developing Nations

• Developing Nations: Start with renewable resources (wood, peat) -> transition to fossil fuels
• Developed Nations: Primarily rely on fossil fuels
• Global Trend: Fossil fuel use grows as nations become industrialized (graph shown)

Electricity Generation

• Common Process: Turbine turning a generator to create electricity
  • Applies to both renewable and non-renewable energy sources
• Example Processes:
  • Wind Turbine: Wind turns blade -> rotor -> turbine -> generator -> electricity
  • Coal Power Plant: Pulverized coal -> boiler -> steam -> turbine -> generator -> electricity

Energy Conservation

• At Home:
  • Adjust thermostat
  • Conserve water
  • Buy energy-efficient appliances
  • Conservation landscaping (xeriscaping)
• Large Scale:
  • Improve vehicle fuel economy
  • Switch to electric/hybrid vehicles
  • Promote public transportation
  • Improve green building designs
  • Use energy-efficient appliances (e.g., LED lights)

Science Practices

• Seven Practices:
  1. Concept Explanation
  2. Visual Representations
  3. Text Analysis (multiple choice only)
  4. Scientific Experiments
  5. Data Analysis
  6. Mathematical Routines
  7. Environmental Solutions
• Today's Focus: Concepts, mathematical routines, environmental solutions

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Example

• Problem: Soil sample near Chernobyl with 187 kBq/m² of cesium-137 (half-life 30 years). Amount remaining after 90 years?
• Solution:
  • Half-life calculations (187 → 93.5 → 46.75 → 23.38 kBq/m²)
  • Answer: 23.38 kBq/m² (C)

Free Response Example 1

• Question: Resource management, resource use, sustainable resource use, economic policies
• Solution:
  • Renewable: Can be replenished naturally (e.g., solar)
  • Non-renewable: Finite amount (e.g., coal)
  • Resource Use: Developed (higher income, non-renewable) vs. Developing (lower income, renewable)
  • Sustainable Use: Resource use that does not deplete (e.g., selective cutting)
  • Economic Policies: Subsidies for renewables, taxes/fines for misusing resources

Free Response Example 2

• Scenario: Offshore wind project with turbines
  • Describe Environmental Benefit: Less habitat destruction
  • Identify Economic Effect: Job creation
  • Other Renewable Ocean Energy: Tidal power
  • Math Problems:
    • Electricity Needed: Calculate based on given capacity and demand (80%)
    • Revenue Calculation: Based on customer payment per kWh
    • Operation Hours Calculation: Based on turbine capacity and total demand

Key Takeaways

• Exam Prep: Know dates, format, technology requirements
• Use AP Daily Videos: For detailed content review and examples
• Energy Basics: Non-renewable vs. renewable, electricity generation processes
• Math Skills: Practice half-life problems, energy calculations
• Environmental Solutions: Economic vs. environmental aspects
• Practice Links: Kahoot for Unit 6 review, feedback form

Final Notes

• Feedback: Fill out feedback form for improvement
• Thanks & School Spirit: Go Rattlers, go Cobras!