which energy source produces no pollutants?
a) geothermal steam
b)hydrogen
c)nuclear
d)none of the choices
hydrogen combustion and geothermal steam are nonpolluting, but there can be some minor effect upon the environment of building the geothermal plants, or making the hydrogen. It depends upon how it is done.
Nuclear power plants do not pollute the air or water in the vicinity if run properly, but they generate nuclear waste that must be stored safely somehow for thousands of years. Finding a way to do this has taken 60 years and the problem, which is political as well as technical, has not yet been solved.
The energy source that produces no pollutants is geothermal steam (option a). Geothermal energy harnesses the heat stored in the Earth's interior and converts it into usable electricity, without emitting any pollutants into the atmosphere.
The correct answer is d) none of the choices. While certain energy sources have lower levels of pollutants compared to others, no energy source can be considered completely free from pollutants. To determine this, you can consider the environmental impacts and emissions associated with each option:
a) Geothermal steam: Geothermal energy is considered a relatively clean form of energy since it involves extracting heat stored in the Earth's crust. However, there can still be some emissions associated with geothermal energy, primarily sulfur dioxide and some trace amounts of other gases.
b) Hydrogen: Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel option since its combustion only produces water vapor as a byproduct. However, the production of hydrogen often involves the use of fossil fuels, which leads to emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
c) Nuclear: Nuclear power is a low-emission energy source since it does not produce carbon dioxide or air pollutants during electricity generation. However, the production and disposal of nuclear fuel and waste can have environmental and health risks associated with radiation and potential accidents.
Considering these factors, it is important to note that even renewable energy sources like solar and wind power have some environmental impacts during their manufacturing, installation, and maintenance processes. Therefore, while certain energy sources may have fewer pollutants than others, no energy source can be considered entirely pollutant-free.