Senior Secondary (HKDSE) · Physics
5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Environmental impact of energy usage.
Burning fossil fuels for energy generation releases various gaseous pollutants into the atmosphere. Which of the following primary pollutants released from the combustion of fossil fuels is a major contributor to the formation of acid rain?
Which of the following describes an environmental impact of mining for rare earth elements and other critical minerals essential for many renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles?
Apart from greenhouse gas emissions, what is a significant environmental impact of the operation of thermal power plants (e.g., coal, natural gas) that often affects aquatic ecosystems?
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large industrial sources, particularly fossil fuel power plants. Which of the following describes the primary challenge associated with the long-term effectiveness and widespread adoption of CCS?
The construction and decommissioning phases of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants, despite their low operational emissions, can contribute to environmental burdens. Which of the following impacts is most directly associated with these lifecycle stages?
How does the burning of fossil fuels lead to an enhanced greenhouse effect and contribute to global warming?
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Explain why the widespread adoption of natural gas as a 'bridge fuel' to replace coal, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions, still presents a significant environmental challenge related to methane.
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Describe how the application of solar control window films on a building's glass envelope reduces the building's Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) and improves air-conditioning efficiency.
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Thermal power plants, such as coal-fired or nuclear stations, often discharge cooling water into nearby aquatic environments, a phenomenon known as thermal pollution.
(a) Explain why water is commonly used as a cooling agent in power plants by referring to its specific heat capacity. (1 point)
(b) When the temperature of a sea or river increases due to the discharge of warm cooling water, the concentration of dissolved oxygen decreases. Explain the physics/biology behind why this poses a significant threat to the survival of fish populations in that area. (2 points)
(c) Based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics, why is it physically impossible for any thermal power plant to avoid rejecting heat to the environment? (1 point)
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Explain how the burning of fossil fuels leads to the enhanced greenhouse effect and discuss two distinct types of air pollutants, other than carbon dioxide, released from their combustion and their specific environmental impacts.
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