Which fuel creates the most air pollution when burned?
O natural gas
O coal
O electricity
O clean fuels
Coal
To determine which fuel creates the most air pollution when burned, we need to consider the types of pollutants emitted by each fuel. The main air pollutants produced during combustion are carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM).
1. Natural Gas: Burning natural gas produces mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), but it emits significantly lower amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) compared to other fossil fuels. Therefore, natural gas is considered a relatively cleaner fuel in terms of air pollution.
2. Coal: Coal is a highly polluting fuel when burned. It releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and substantial quantities of particulate matter (PM). Due to the high sulfur content in coal, it also produces significant air pollution by emitting sulfur dioxide, leading to acid rain and other environmental issues.
3. Electricity: The impact of electricity on air pollution depends on the source of power generation. If electricity is generated using fossil fuels like coal or oil, then it can contribute to air pollution similar to those fuels. However, if electricity is produced from renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, it does not directly emit air pollutants, making it a cleaner option.
4. Clean Fuels: Clean fuels generally refer to non-fossil fuel alternatives, such as biofuels, hydrogen, or electricity from renewable sources. These fuels generally produce lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) compared to conventional fossil fuels like coal or oil.
In conclusion, among the given options, coal is the fuel that creates the most air pollution when burned, followed by natural gas. Electricity and clean fuels can have lower levels of air pollution, depending on their sources of generation.