AP Environmental Science 6.10: Geothermal Energy
Practice AP Environmental Science questions on how heat from Earth’s interior produces steam that drives generators for electricity.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Environmental Science
Covered syllabus points
6.10 Geothermal Energy question 1
[Maximum number: 2]
Shown above is a graph of the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita versus the annual electrical energy consumption per capita for nine countries in 2009.
Iceland's position on the graph is due in part to its access to geothermal energy sources. Describe how electricity is generated from a geothermal source.
(2 points; 1 point for indicating how steam is produced to turn a turbine and 1 point for stating that the energy from the turbine is used to run a generator that produces electrical current)
Steam production (thermal energy into mechanical energy). Any of the following are correct responses:
- High-pressure hot water is pumped out of the earth and put into a low-pressure container to produce steam, which will in turn run a turbine (flash steam plant).
- Wells are drilled, and steam is piped directly to turn a turbine (dry steam plant).
- Hot water is pumped out of the earth; a heat exchanger is used to heat another liquid to produce vapor that is then used to turn a turbine (binary cycle).
Electrical production (mechanical energy into electrical energy)
- The energy from the turbine is used to run a generator.
6.10 Geothermal Energy question 2
[Maximum number: 1]
A local school district is looking to replace their current electricity source with a new, more reliable source that has less environmental consequences than the coal and oil they currently use. They hire an energy consultant to give them different options before going to the school board with their recommendation.
One option the energy consultant brings them is to use geothermal energy. The environmental consequences of this choice would be which of the following?
A
Hydrogen sulfide could possibly be released.
B
Excess carbon dioxide would be removed from the atmosphere.
C
Radioactive waste will be produced that must be stored for many years.
D
Fracking can cause groundwater contamination that will need to be remediated.
A
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