Power Grid — Questions and answers

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Why was Direct Current (DC) impractical for widespread distribution, according to the foreman?

Choices

  1. It was too hard to find copper lines.
  2. The power stations were too small.
  3. The copper lines lost power too quickly, needing many booster stations. ✓
  4. Edison didn't like the schematic.

Answer: The copper lines lost power too quickly, needing many booster stations.

From page 2

What did Nikola Tesla believe was the key to solving the problems of electricity distribution?

Choices

  1. Making DC stronger.
  2. Using a static burden.
  3. Alternating current (AC). ✓
  4. Chasing a phantom force.

Answer: Alternating current (AC).

From page 3

What special kind of motor did Tesla's polyphase AC system allow for?

Choices

  1. Motors that needed constant adjustments.
  2. Self-starting motors. ✓
  3. Motors that only worked for short distances.
  4. Motors that were very loud.

Answer: Self-starting motors.

From page 4

What did Thomas Edison do during the 'War of the Currents' against AC?

Choices

  1. He joined forces with Tesla.
  2. He highlighted AC's perceived dangers in a public campaign. ✓
  3. He helped Westinghouse build AC systems.
  4. He invented a new transformer.

Answer: He highlighted AC's perceived dangers in a public campaign.

From page 5

What simple but important device made long-distance, efficient power transmission possible for AC?

Choices

  1. The generator.
  2. The electric motor.
  3. The transformer. ✓
  4. The copper wire.

Answer: The transformer.

From page 6

What did George Westinghouse begin doing with Tesla's patents for AC?

Choices

  1. He started selling them to other companies.
  2. He began building the first major AC power systems. ✓
  3. He built new mousetraps.
  4. He wrote a book about progress.

Answer: He began building the first major AC power systems.

From page 7

What monumental project, completed in 1896, proved AC could deliver power over long distances?

Choices

  1. Illuminating Pearl Street.
  2. Harnessing Niagara Falls. ✓
  3. Powering Buffalo, New York.
  4. Building a new power plant in kilometers away.

Answer: Harnessing Niagara Falls.

From page 8

What has the power grid become for modern society, according to the text?

Choices

  1. A simple system that never changes.
  2. The invisible backbone, delivering energy everywhere. ✓
  3. A new type of waterfall.
  4. Something only for factories.

Answer: The invisible backbone, delivering energy everywhere.

From page 10