EXAM 2:   Wednesday, 14 November,  in Class

R & K Chapters 4, 5, 6 and Rosenbaum 8

To give you a full 60 minutes for this exam, it will begin at 11:40 and end at 12:40

Review highlights:

Ch. 4 - Solar energy.  How do solar collectors work?  What are the differences between 'passive' and 'active' solar heating systems?
 How is solar  energy used to generate electric power?  What are the pros and cons of photovoltaics?

Ch. 5 - Other renewable energy sources. Be able to describe the main features of each of the five described.  Are some more practical than others?  What are their respective advantages and limitations?

Ch. 6 - Nuclear energy.  Why does radioactive decay occur?  Be able to describe the operation of a fission reactor including the fuel cycle.  What are the pluses and minuses of nuclear energy?  How safe are commercial fission reactors? Describe the main features of a fusion reaction.  Why are there no commercial fusion reactors available?

Rosenbaum, Ch 8.  Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following: US indifference to energy problems; "the Nuclear Dream"; commercial and military nuclear waste problems. Also the pros and cons of coal as a major answer to the USA's energy needs: SMCRA, and restoration policies. From Prof Rosenbaum's talk: What are 'Faustian technologies' and their consequences, especially regarding public policies?

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Sample Exam:  No old exam is readily available for this combination of chapters so here's a quick 'hybrid' partially consisting of selected previously assigned homework problems. (D) = discussion question.

Answer 7 questions including at least 3 discussion (D).
1P. Ch. 6 -  1
2P. Ch 6 - 9 (a&b only).
3P. Ch 5 - 5
4P. Ch 5 - 2
5P, Ch 4 - 8
6D.  a) Sketch [block diagram] and briefly describe a typical US commercial fission reactor driven electric power plant.
        b) In what important way(s) did the Chernobyl plant design differ?
7D. List at least one nuclear fusion reaction and briefly indicate the main reasons why commercial fusion reactors are not yet available.
8D.  a) What US public policies led to the development of commercial fission energy plantsin the 1950's - 60's?
        b) What policies have led to their demise over the past 30 years?

9D. Briefly discuss the important public policies affecting US coal production and consumption over the past 25 years.