Chapter 11

What is the concept of "payback time," and how can it be useful in deciding what types of conservation measures to pursue?

How do geothermal power plants generate electricity, and what is the main limitation for their placement?

What is radioactive decay, and how does it relate to the concept of a half- life?

After four half-lives, about how much radioactive parent material is left?

Describe the process of bioethanol production from a high-sugar crop like corn.

Explain how a geothermal heat pump works and how it can lower both heating and cooling costs for homeowners.

In a nuclear fuel assembly, even if the fission reaction could be completely halted, significant heat would still be produced. Explain why.

How does a hydroelectric dam generate electricity?

Define and give examples of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW).

Which disadvantage of large dams can the smaller run-of-the-river dams avoid?