Which of the following describes an example of an energy resource that does not pollute the air with greenhouse gases? a. Wind power, which converts wind to electrical energy b. Natural gas, which is released and used from sedimentary rock deposits c. Fossil fuels, which transform the energy of flowing water into useable electricity d. Biomass energy which is generated by burning wood or garbage

Biology · High School · Mon Jan 18 2021

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The energy resource that does not pollute the air with greenhouse gases is: a. Wind power, which converts wind to electrical energy.

Wind power harnesses the kinetic energy of the wind to generate electricity through turbines. Unlike fossil fuels or biomass energy, wind power does not produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4) during the generation of electricity. As a renewable and clean energy source, it significantly reduces the emission of greenhouse gases, contributing to mitigating climate change.

  • Wind power is an excellent example of renewable energy, which comes from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited. They are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time.
  • Renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar power, hydroelectricity, and geothermal energy do not release carbon dioxide (CO2) or other pollutants that contribute to global warming, which is a significant problem associated with burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas (option b and c).
  • Biomass energy (option d) does involve burning organic material like wood or garbage, and although it can be considered renewable if the resource is managed sustainably, it does produce greenhouse gas emissions. However, if the biomass is part of a balanced carbon cycle, meaning that the CO2 emitted during burning is offset by the CO2 absorbed by the plants during their growth, its net carbon emissions can be lower than those of fossil fuels.
  • In contrast, non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas are finite and will eventually be depleted, and their usage releases considerable amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing significantly to climate change.

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