Energy Sources Practice Questions
20 free Energy Sources practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which of the following is considered a secondary source of energy because it is produced from other sources?
- A Coal
- B Solar energy
- C Electricity
- D Natural gas
Correct answer: Electricity
Electricity is a secondary energy source or an energy carrier. It is produced by converting primary sources of energy, such as coal, nuclear, or solar, into electrical power.
What is the primary combustible constituent of natural gas?
- A Ethane
- B Methane
- C Propane
- D Butane
Correct answer: Methane
Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed mostly of methane (CH4). It usually contains 70-90% methane along with small amounts of other hydrocarbons and gases.
Which type of coal has the highest carbon content and the highest heating value?
- A Lignite
- B Bituminous
- C Peat
- D Anthracite
Correct answer: Anthracite
Anthracite is the highest rank of coal. It is hard, brittle, and contains between 86% and 97% carbon, making it the most efficient and cleanest-burning type of coal.
The process of splitting a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei to release energy is known as:
- A Nuclear Fusion
- B Nuclear Fission
- C Radioactive Decay
- D Thermal Cracking
Correct answer: Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission is used in commercial nuclear power plants to generate heat. When a heavy atom like Uranium-235 is hit by a neutron, it splits, releasing a large amount of energy and more neutrons.
Which renewable energy source utilizes the internal heat of the Earth for power generation?
- A Biomass
- B Hydroelectric
- C Geothermal
- D Tidal
Correct answer: Geothermal
Geothermal energy comes from the heat produced inside the Earth's core. This heat can be captured as steam or hot water to drive turbines and produce electricity.
What is the main component used in the manufacture of Photovoltaic (PV) cells?
- A Carbon
- B Silicon
- C Copper
- D Aluminum
Correct answer: Silicon
Silicon is a semiconductor and the most common material used in solar cells. It allows the cell to convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of wind energy?
- A High greenhouse gas emissions
- B Depletion of natural resources
- C Intermittency of power supply
- D High fuel costs
Correct answer: Intermittency of power supply
Wind energy is intermittent because wind does not blow at a constant speed all the time. This makes it difficult to rely on wind alone without energy storage or backup power sources.
Biogas is primarily a mixture of which two gases?
- A Hydrogen and Oxygen
- B Methane and Carbon Dioxide
- C Nitrogen and Methane
- D Carbon Monoxide and Ethane
Correct answer: Methane and Carbon Dioxide
Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. It typically consists of 50-75% methane and 25-50% carbon dioxide, along with trace amounts of other gases.
The energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, such as food or wood, is called:
- A Kinetic energy
- B Chemical energy
- C Thermal energy
- D Electrical energy
Correct answer: Chemical energy
Chemical energy is a form of potential energy stored in the arrangement of atoms within molecules. It is released during a chemical reaction, often in the form of heat.
Which country is the global leader in geothermal energy production per capita, largely due to its volcanic activity?
- A Finland
- B Iceland
- C Brazil
- D Canada
Correct answer: Iceland
Iceland is uniquely located on a tectonic plate boundary with high volcanic activity. This allows the country to meet nearly all of its heating and a large portion of its electricity needs through geothermal energy.
Which fossil fuel is known as 'buried sunshine'?
- A Petroleum
- B Natural Gas
- C Coal
- D Wood
Correct answer: Coal
Coal is often called 'buried sunshine' because it is formed from the remains of ancient plants. These plants originally captured energy from the sun millions of years ago through photosynthesis.
In a hydroelectric power plant, which form of energy is converted into electrical energy?
- A Kinetic energy
- B Chemical energy
- C Nuclear energy
- D Solar energy
Correct answer: Kinetic energy
Hydroelectric plants use the kinetic energy of falling or fast-flowing water to turn a turbine. The turbine is connected to a generator that converts this mechanical energy into electricity.
What is the main drawback of using Biomass as an energy source?
- A It produces carbon dioxide when burned
- B It is non-renewable
- C It is extremely expensive to produce
- D It requires very high temperatures to ignite
Correct answer: It produces carbon dioxide when burned
While biomass is renewable, burning wood or organic waste releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air. However, it is often considered carbon-neutral because the plants absorbed CO2 while growing.
Which of the following is a non-conventional source of energy?
- A Coal
- B Nuclear Energy
- C Solar energy
- D Natural Gas
Correct answer: Solar energy
Non-conventional energy sources are those that are renewable and have only recently started being used on a large scale. Examples include solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal energy.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) generates power by utilizing what?
- A The movement of ocean waves
- B The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun
- C The salt concentration of seawater
- D Temperature difference between ocean layers
Correct answer: Temperature difference between ocean layers
OTEC systems use the temperature gradient between the warm surface water and the cold deep water of the ocean. This difference is used to run a heat engine and generate electricity.
What is 'Petroleum' often called due to its high value in the global market?
- A Black Gold
- B Liquid Silver
- C Blue Coal
- D Yellow Cake
Correct answer: Black Gold
Petroleum is referred to as 'Black Gold' because of its immense economic value and its dark color when extracted. It is a vital resource for transportation, industry, and plastic production.
Which fuel is used in the nuclear reactors of India's first stage of the three-stage nuclear power program?
- A Thorium
- B Plutonium
- C Enriched Uranium
- D Natural Uranium
Correct answer: Natural Uranium
India's first stage uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) fueled by natural uranium. This stage also produces plutonium as a byproduct for use in the second stage.
The energy possessed by an object due to its motion is called:
- A Kinetic energy
- B Potential energy
- C Static energy
- D Magnetic energy
Correct answer: Kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. In the context of energy sources, it is the energy harvested from wind (moving air) or hydro (moving water) to create power.
Which of the following energy sources does NOT ultimately come from the Sun?
- A Wind energy
- B Biomass
- C Fossil fuel energy
- D Nuclear energy
Correct answer: Nuclear energy
Wind, biomass, and fossil fuels are all forms of stored or transformed solar energy. Nuclear energy, however, comes from the binding energy of atomic nuclei, which was formed in stars or supernovae, not our Sun.
Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy of tides into electricity. What causes tides?
- A Solar flares
- B The Earth's internal heat
- C Underwater volcanic eruptions and earthquakes
- D Gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun
Correct answer: Gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun
Tides are caused by the gravitational interaction between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Tidal power plants capture the kinetic or potential energy of the resulting rise and fall of sea levels.