大学受験対策｜英語 長文読解問題43 難易度：★★☆☆☆

Plasma actuators are new devices that use electric power to create a thin layer of ionized gas, also known as plasma. They have become an important tool for engineers who want to reduce energy use in different fields. For example, in the aviation industry, controlling airflow around an airplane’s wings can lower drag and improve fuel efficiency. By placing plasma actuators along the wing surface, small changes in the air movement can have a big impact on the plane’s performance.

One advantage of plasma actuators is that they are lightweight and have no moving parts. This means they can be attached to many surfaces without adding much weight. Furthermore, they respond quickly to changes, giving researchers the chance to adjust airflow in real time. As a result, a vehicle or machine can run more smoothly with less wasted energy. In the automotive field, studies show that using plasma actuators on car bodies may reduce drag, which leads to lower fuel consumption and cleaner emissions.

Beyond transportation, plasma actuators hold potential for many other applications across industries. By managing airflow around buildings, they might help ventilation systems work more efficiently, cutting down on heating or cooling expenses. In wind energy, they could be placed on turbine blades to improve power production by reducing turbulence.

Plasma actuators also create less noise than mechanical devices, making them a quieter option for various systems. As scientists continue to improve materials and production methods, these devices could become more affordable and easier to install. In time, widespread use of plasma actuators may help industries operate more sustainably, protecting the environment while meeting human needs. Although this technology remains under development, many experts view plasma actuators as a promising path toward widespread energy conservation in the future. Continued research and collaboration among engineers and scientists will likely lead to major improvements in plasma actuator performance.

Q1. Which explanation best reflects an important benefit that engineers hope to achieve by using plasma actuators?

1. They want to significantly increase an airplane wing’s weight, believing heavier designs promise safer landings.
2. They prefer to eliminate all aerodynamic challenges in a single procedure, allowing infinite flight distances without further adjustments.
3. They focus on adjusting airflow around an aircraft’s wings, thereby boosting performance and saving fuel over long distances.
4. They insert plasma layers into cabin interiors, expecting these invisible fields to block passenger chatter and enhance overall comfort.

Q2. What does the text suggest about the long-term potential of plasma actuators for industry and society?

1. They are widely considered unreliable, prompting most engineers to abandon research progress completely.
2. They have a minimal effect on environmental sustainability, leaving businesses uninterested in adopting them soon.
3. They may become more affordable and help different sectors reduce noise and operate sustainably in the coming years.
4. They are likely to vanish from laboratories once initial test phases end, concluding that materials are too difficult to develop.

Q3. Which statement is not supported by the details about plasma actuators?

1. They can be mounted on vehicles without significantly increasing weight, and they quickly adapt airflow to save fuel.
2. They typically escalate total energy usage in transportation networks, creating more emissions and higher fuel costs overall.
3. They are viewed as quiet solutions for future industrial systems, possibly supporting greener operations and lower noise pollution.
4. They might be integrated with building designs or wind turbines, improving efficiency for heating systems and electricity generation.