AP Environmental Science FRQ Question 3 (Set 2)

 Where calculations are required, clearly show how you arrived at your answer. Where explanation or discussion is required, support your answers with relevant information and/or specific examples.

Approximately 350 coal-fired power plants in the United States are older than the 30-year anticipated life-span for a coal generator.

Describe why coal is considered a nonrenewable energy source.

Describe one potential environmental advantage of replacing a coal-fired power plant with a natural-gas power plant.

Describe one economic advantage of using natural gas, rather than coal, in producing electricity. Propose a solution to reduce the incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning in humans.

Calculate the percent change in the average annual PM 2.5 concentration in the air from 1990 to 2016. Show your work.

Calculate the decrease in PM 2.5 removal in kilograms if logging reduced a forested area from 50,000 hectares to 43,000 hectares. Show your work.

Calculate the anticipated increase in the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues during the next year if the PM 2.5 concentration continues to rise at an identical rate. Show your work.

Research has shown that hospital admissions for cardiovascular problems increase 1% with every 10% increase in PM 2.5 concentration.  A city experienced a 23% increase in PM 2.5 concentration and had 7,390 hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues over a one-year period. Calculate the anticipated increase in the number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular issues during the next year if the PM 2.5 concentration continues to rise at an identical rate. Show your work.