Problem 1
Why does using wood as a fuel not contribute to global warming, but using coal as a fuel does?
Problem 2
Explain why the combustion of coal has a higher environmental impact than the combustion of natural gas.
Problem 3
What is the basic difference between drilling a well to recover oil and gas from an anticline and drilling a well to recover natural gas from shale deposits?
Problem 4
In the years to come, coal will likely represent a smaller percentage of U.S. energy consumption than it does at present. However, it is also possible that coal production may increase. Explain this apparent paradox.
Problem 5
As you and a companion are taking a walk, you mention that you have been reading about renewable and nonrenewable resources. Shortly after mentioning this fact, the two of you pass a refuse container with a sign that says, "Aluminum cans only." Upon seeing this, your companion says, "They sure recycle lots of aluminum these days. That makes it a renewable resource, right?" How would you reply?
Problem 7
Assume that you just read a magazine article about a copper mine that is closing. In the article, a mining geologist states that there is plenty of copper-bearing rock remaining and that the concentration of copper is uniform and of equal quality to what has been mined in the past. Later in the article, a spokesperson for the mine owner states, "No ore remains." Assume that both the geologist and the spokesperson are correct and suggest an explanation for the apparently contradicting statements.
