I read this background article the other day: In the U.S., the majority of electricity is produced by burning coal or other fossil fuels. This causes air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. Fossil fuels are also limited and may eventually run out. Like fossil fuels, radioactive elements are limited. In fact, they are relatively rare, so they could run out sooner rather than later. On the other hand, nuclear fission does not release air pollution or cause the other environmental problems associated with burning fossil fuels. This is the major advantage of using nuclear fission as a source of energy. I am facing a new situation today: Two countries used different methods to produce their energy. Albania used fossil fuels, while Croatia used Nuclear fission. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which country caused less air pollution?
Ans: Croatia

I read this background article the other day: In addition to insects, weeds have also been a menace to farmers - just ask anyone with a garden how much they hate weeds. They can quickly compete for water and nutrients needed by other plants. Sure, farmers can use herbicides to kill weeds, but do these chemicals also harm the crops? Can biotechnology help with this issue? Some crops have also been genetically engineered to acquire tolerance to the herbicides - allowing the crops to grow, but killing the weeds. But the lack of cost effective herbicides with a broad range of activity - that do not harm crops - is a problem in weed management. Multiple applications of numerous herbicides are routinely needed to control the wide range of weeds that are harmful to crops. And at times these herbicides are being used as a preventive measure that is, spraying to prevent weeds from developing rather than spraying after weeds form. So these chemicals are being added to crops. This practice is followed by mechanical and/or hand weeding to control weeds that are not controlled by the chemicals. Crops that are tolerant of herbicides would obviously be a tremendous benefit to farmers ( Figure above ). The introduction of herbicide tolerant crops has the potential to reduce the number of chemicals needed during a growing season, thereby increasing crop yield due to improved weed management and decreased harm to the crops. I am facing a new situation today: Because of the weed and insect menace villagers from North village decided to use herbicide tolerant crops. South village decided to postpone a decision and kept using regular seeds. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Which village didn't add crops that are a tremendous benefit to farmers?
Ans: South

I read this background article the other day: However, the addition of a metal catalyst, such as platinum, provides a lower energy pathway. The energy requirements for breaking the H-H bond are offset somewhat if each hydrogen atom can form a new bond with the metal surface. Then, collisions between the alkene and the metal-hydrogen complex result in the formation of a product. The metal surface is regenerated after the hydrogen atoms are removed, so it is not used up by the reaction, but it increases the rate by stabilizing the high energy hydrogen atoms. I am facing a new situation today: Michael and Robert are both performing a chemistry experiment. The reaction they are performing uses alkenes and hydrogen as reactants. Michael performs the experiment without any additional materials, while Robert performs the experiment while using a platinum catalyst. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Who will have a lower reaction rate in their experiments?
Ans: Michael

I read this background article the other day: A major use for petroleum products is fuel for cars, trucks, airplanes, trains, and other vehicles. The chemical used are usually a mixture of compounds containing several carbon atoms in a chain. When the material is ignited, a massive amount of gas is created almost instantaneously. This increase in volume will move the pistons in an internal combustion engine to provide power. A jet plane works on a similar principle. Air comes into the front of the engine and mixes with the jet fuel. This mixture is ignited and the gases formed create a lot of pressure to push the plane forward. The idea can be seen even more clearly in the case of a rocket launch. The ignition of the fuel (either solid-state or liquid) creates gases produced under great pressure that pushes the rocket up. I am facing a new situation today: Gwen is driving on a highway in her old car. It's a pretty empty highway so you can hear her car engine pretty clearly. She forgot to fill up on fuel and eventually her car stops running. She has to walk to the nearest gas station and fill up a gas can to get going again. Using the knowledge I acquired from the background article, how should I answer correctly the following question regarding my new situation: Will igniting fuel create a lot of gas instantly or over time?
Ans: instantly