Which fuel creates most air pollution when burned?
A. Clean fuels
B. Natural gas
C. Coal
D. Electricity
C. Coal
The fuel that creates the most air pollution when burned is coal, option C. To arrive at this answer, we can analyze the emissions produced by each fuel when burned.
Coal is a fossil fuel that is widely used in power plants and industrial applications. When coal is burned, it releases large amounts of pollutants into the air, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and carbon dioxide (CO2). These emissions contribute significantly to air pollution and have detrimental effects on human health and the environment.
On the other hand, clean fuels, such as renewable energy sources like wind or solar, have minimal to no emissions when used for electricity generation. Therefore, option A can be ruled out as clean fuels do not create air pollution.
Natural gas, option B, is considered relatively cleaner than coal. When burned, it produces lower levels of pollutants compared to coal, such as CO2, SO2, NOx, and PM. However, natural gas is still a fossil fuel and contributes to air pollution, although to a lesser extent than coal.
Electricity, option D, is not a fuel itself but a form of energy. The source of the electricity determines its impact on air pollution. If the electricity is generated from burning coal, it will have high emissions. However, if the electricity comes from renewable sources or cleaner fuels, the emissions will be considerably lower.
Therefore, based on the options given, coal (option C) is the fuel that creates the most air pollution when burned.