In its search for new technologies for solar energy that can produce lower-cost

游客2024-01-12  28

问题 In its search for new technologies for solar energy that can produce lower-cost electricity, Smith-Diatom is developing a new way to make dye-sensitive solar cells, in which photons strike light-sensitive dyes. The process uses diatoms, which are unicellular algae that have silicon shells with a complex structure. First, the organic material is removed, and then the shells are coated with a titanium dioxide film that acts as a semiconductor. The diatoms’ structure results in more photon activity and thus more efficient production of electricity than with current dye-sensitized solar cells, which in turn lowers the cost.
Which of the following considerations would, if true, most strongly support the hypothesis that the plan, if implemented, will produce low-cost electricity from dye-sensitive solar cells?

选项 A、Diatoms are an important link in oceanic food chains and help cycle carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
B、The current cost of electricity produced by dye-sensitive solar cells is roughly three times that of non-solar electricity.
C、Because diatoms occur naturally, no special engineering processes are needed to produce the basic dye-sensitive solar cell structures.
D、Dye-sensitive solar cells work somewhat more efficiently in lower light than previous solar cell technologies.
E、The production of dye-sensitive solar cells primarily uses materials that do not harm the environment.

答案 C

解析 Evaluation of a Plan
Situation Smith-Diatom is trying to develop a new way to make dye-sensitive solar cells in hopes of developing a means for using solar energy to produce lower-cost electricity. Their new technology will use diatoms, single-celled algae with silicon shells that have a complex structure. This structure results in increased photon activity, which results in more efficient and lower-cost energy production than current dye-sensitive solar cells do.
Reasoning What statement would provide the strongest support for the claim that Smith-Diatoms plan would result in the production of lower-cost energy than can be attained from the current dye-sensitive solar cells? One potential problem with Smith-Diatom’s plan would be if the intended use of diatoms would be costly. Any statement that ruled out a potentially costly aspects of production, e.g., costly engineering processes, would provide support for the claim in question.
A Nothing in Smith-Diatom’s plan is related to diatom’s connection to oceanic food chains or to their role in cycling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
B That producing electricity by means of dye-sensitive solar cells is much more costly than other types of electricity production would help explain why Smith-Diatom wants to find a lower-cost means of producing solar energy, but it does not give us reason to think that Smith-Diatom’s plan will be successful.
C Correct. If no special engineering processes are needed to carry out Smith-Diatom’s plan, one potential costly aspect of solar-electricity production is ruled out, thereby providing some reason to think Smith-Diatom’s goal of producing lower-cost electricity might be attainable.
D The fact that dye-sensitive solar cells work more efficiently in lower light than other solar cell technologies would help support the claim in question only if we knew that the cost of producing such cells is not prohibitive. Also, it could be the case that although dye-sensitive solar cells work more efficiently in lower light than other solar cell technologies, the other solar cell technologies might work much more efficiently in good lighting conditions.
E If the production of dye-sensitive solar cells does not harm the environment, that might be good reason to use such solar cells, but it is not relevant to determining whether Smith-Diatom’s plan will be likely to attain its goal.
The correct answer is C.
转载请注明原文地址:https://tihaiku.com/zcyy/3357182.html
最新回复(0)