AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Energy From Biomass

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Energy From Biomass, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Environmental Science.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which process describes biomass energy to electricity?

Answer: Biomass power generation. Burning biomass produces steam to drive electrical turbines.

Flashcard 2: What is the main component of biogas?

Answer: Methane (CH₄). Primary combustible gas produced by anaerobic digestion.

Flashcard 3: What is biodiesel?

Answer: A biofuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats. Alternative diesel fuel derived from biological sources.

Flashcard 4: Name a type of biomass that is a waste product.

Answer: Animal manure. Agricultural byproduct that can generate biogas energy.

Flashcard 5: Name a type of biomass that is a waste product.

Answer: Animal manure. Agricultural byproduct that can generate biogas energy.

Flashcard 6: What is transesterification?

Answer: Process to produce biodiesel from oils. Chemical reaction that converts plant oils into biodiesel.

Flashcard 7: What is the main component of biogas?

Answer: Methane (CH₄). Primary combustible gas produced by anaerobic digestion.

Flashcard 8: Identify a liquid fuel derived from biomass.

Answer: Ethanol. Alcohol fuel commonly blended with gasoline for vehicles.

Flashcard 9: What is biodiesel?

Answer: A biofuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats. Alternative diesel fuel derived from biological sources.

Flashcard 10: What is the main disadvantage of biofuel production?

Answer: Competes with food production. Energy crops may reduce land available for food production.

Flashcard 11: What is the energy content of biomass measured in?

Answer: Megajoules (MJ). Standard unit for measuring energy content of organic materials.

Flashcard 12: Which process uses microorganisms to decompose organic matter?

Answer: Composting. Biological breakdown of organic matter by beneficial bacteria.

Flashcard 13: What is the typical yield of ethanol from one bushel of corn?

Answer: Approximately 2.8 gallons. Standard conversion rate for corn-based ethanol production.

Flashcard 14: Which biomass product is used for heating and cooking?

Answer: Wood. Most common biomass fuel burned for thermal energy.

Flashcard 15: Which feedstock is used for ethanol production?

Answer: Corn. Major agricultural crop used for ethanol fuel production.

Flashcard 16: Which greenhouse gas is reduced by using biomass?

Answer: Methane (CH₄). Biomass prevents methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.

Flashcard 17: Which gas is a byproduct of biomass gasification?

Answer: Hydrogen (H₂). Clean-burning gas produced alongside carbon monoxide in gasification.

Flashcard 18: What is one environmental benefit of using biomass?

Answer: Reduces waste in landfills. Converts organic waste into useful energy instead of disposal.

Flashcard 19: Identify the primary source of biomass energy.

Answer: Plant material and animal waste. These are renewable organic sources for energy conversion.

Flashcard 20: What is cogeneration in biomass energy?

Answer: Simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Efficient system captures waste heat for additional energy use.

Flashcard 21: Which greenhouse gas is reduced by using biomass?

Answer: Methane (CH₄). Biomass prevents methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.

Flashcard 22: What does the term 'carbon neutral' mean in biomass?

Answer: CO₂ released is offset by CO₂ absorbed. Growing plants absorb the same CO₂ that burning releases.

Flashcard 23: Which biomass product is used for heating and cooking?

Answer: Wood. Most common biomass fuel burned for thermal energy.

Flashcard 24: State the main advantage of biomass energy.

Answer: It is renewable and sustainable. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass can be replenished continuously.

Flashcard 25: Identify a thermochemical conversion process for biomass.

Answer: Pyrolysis. High-temperature decomposition process used for biomass conversion.

Flashcard 26: Identify a liquid fuel derived from biomass.

Answer: Ethanol. Alcohol fuel commonly blended with gasoline for vehicles.

Flashcard 27: State the main advantage of biomass energy.

Answer: It is renewable and sustainable. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass can be replenished continuously.

Flashcard 28: What is the formula for photosynthesis?

Answer: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$. Plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight.

Flashcard 29: What is biomass energy?

Answer: Energy produced from organic materials. Derived from living or recently dead organic matter.

Flashcard 30: Which process converts biomass into biogas?

Answer: Anaerobic digestion. Bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen present.

Flashcard 31: What is the formula for photosynthesis?

Answer: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$. Plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight.

Flashcard 32: What is the typical yield of ethanol from one bushel of corn?

Answer: Approximately 2.8 gallons. Standard conversion rate for corn-based ethanol production.

Flashcard 33: Identify a limitation of biomass energy.

Answer: Requires large land areas. Energy crops compete with agriculture for available land.

Flashcard 34: What is the primary energy conversion in photosynthesis?

Answer: Light energy to chemical energy. Solar energy becomes chemical bonds in glucose molecules.

Flashcard 35: What is lignocellulosic biomass?

Answer: Biomass composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Woody plant material containing complex structural compounds.

Flashcard 36: What is pyrolysis?

Answer: Thermal decomposition of biomass in absence of oxygen. Heat breaks down biomass without burning it completely.

Flashcard 37: What is a common use of biogas?

Answer: Cooking fuel. Clean-burning gas replaces wood or fossil fuels for cooking.

Flashcard 38: What is the role of a digester in biogas production?

Answer: Breaks down organic matter anaerobically. Enclosed system where bacteria decompose organic waste without oxygen.

Flashcard 39: What is the primary energy conversion in photosynthesis?

Answer: Light energy to chemical energy. Solar energy becomes chemical bonds in glucose molecules.

Flashcard 40: Name a chemical treatment in biomass conversion.

Answer: Acid hydrolysis. Chemical process that breaks down cellulose using acids.

Flashcard 41: What is biomass energy?

Answer: Energy produced from organic materials. Derived from living or recently dead organic matter.

Flashcard 42: Which feedstock is used for ethanol production?

Answer: Corn. Major agricultural crop used for ethanol fuel production.

Flashcard 43: What is the role of a digester in biogas production?

Answer: Breaks down organic matter anaerobically. Enclosed system where bacteria decompose organic waste without oxygen.

Flashcard 44: What is the term for converting biomass to liquid fuels?

Answer: Biofuel production. Process creates ethanol, biodiesel, and other liquid fuels.

Flashcard 45: Which process uses microorganisms to decompose organic matter?

Answer: Composting. Biological breakdown of organic matter by beneficial bacteria.

Flashcard 46: What is gasification?

Answer: Conversion of biomass into syngas. High-temperature process converts biomass into synthesis gas.

Flashcard 47: Name a chemical treatment in biomass conversion.

Answer: Acid hydrolysis. Chemical process that breaks down cellulose using acids.

Flashcard 48: What is cogeneration in biomass energy?

Answer: Simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Efficient system captures waste heat for additional energy use.

Flashcard 49: Identify a disadvantage of biomass energy.

Answer: Can lead to deforestation. Large-scale harvesting may destroy forest ecosystems.

Flashcard 50: Which gas is primarily released by burning biomass?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Complete combustion of carbon-based biomass produces this gas.

Flashcard 51: What is a common byproduct of fermentation in biofuel?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Yeast produces this gas when converting sugars to ethanol.

Flashcard 52: What is a common use of biogas?

Answer: Cooking fuel. Clean-burning gas replaces wood or fossil fuels for cooking.

Flashcard 53: What is ethanol?

Answer: A type of biofuel derived from biomass. Alcohol fuel produced through fermentation of sugars.

Flashcard 54: Which gas is primarily released by burning biomass?

Answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Complete combustion of carbon-based biomass produces this gas.

Flashcard 55: What does the term 'carbon neutral' mean in biomass?

Answer: CO₂ released is offset by CO₂ absorbed. Growing plants absorb the same CO₂ that burning releases.

Flashcard 56: Identify a thermochemical conversion process for biomass.

Answer: Pyrolysis. High-temperature decomposition process used for biomass conversion.

Flashcard 57: Identify the primary source of biomass energy.

Answer: Plant material and animal waste. These are renewable organic sources for energy conversion.

Flashcard 58: Identify a limitation of biomass energy.

Answer: Requires large land areas. Energy crops compete with agriculture for available land.

Flashcard 59: What is the role of fermentation in ethanol production?

Answer: Converts sugars into alcohol. Anaerobic biological process that produces ethanol from glucose.