Ryerson University

Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science

Department of Civil Engineering
Geology for Engineers (CVL 423)

Assignment (1), Minerals and Energy Resources Due date: Nov. 20, 2015

1. Briefly outline the pros and cons of alternate energy sources such as nuclear, solar, wind,
geothermal and hydroelectric.
2. Metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources occur in a variety of geologic environments. Why
is it important to understand the origin of a specific mineral deposit?
3. Explain the differences between the renewable and nonrenewable resources.
4. What is Ore?
5. What are the main metallic minerals deposits?
6. What are the main non-metallic minerals resources?
7. How does the petroleum form?
8. What are the main environmental factors that affect the use of fossil fuels?
9. What are the main fuel sources?
10. Choose the correct answer:
a) How much of Canada's mineral and metal products are exported?
A) 20%, B) 50%, C) >80%, D) none

b) Canada ranks first in the world for production of ________.

A) copper and zinc
B) gold and silver
C) potash and uranium
D) diamonds and platinum

c) The five most important Canadian minerals in terms of production value are ______.
A) gold, nickel, potash, copper, zinc
B) platinum, iron, sulphur, gypsum, halite
C) silver, quartz, garnet, tin, aluminum

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 D) clay, mica, serpentine, chlorite, zeolite

d) ________ is the main fuel used in nuclear fission reactors to produce electricity
because it is the only natural isotope capable of sustaining a controlled fission
reaction.
A) Uranium-238
B) Thorium-234
C) Uranium-235
D) Plutonium-239

e) Which of the following is not a renewable energy resource?

A) oil shale
B) landfill methane
C) biomass
D) geothermal

f) ________ supplies the largest percentage of energy consumed annually in Canada,

while the majority of that produced is sold for export.
A) Coal
B) Uranium
C) Hydroelectricity
D) Petroleum and Natural Gas

g) Hydroelectricity contributes ________ percent of Canada's total electricity generation.

A) 0.058, B) 0.58, C) 5.8, D) 58

h) Government studies suggest solar energy could provide ________ percent of Canada's
electricity.
A) 0.5, B) 5, C) 50, D) 0.05

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