How do fossil fuels play a role in the carbon cycle?(1 point)
A) Fossil fuels require a lot of carbon to burn, which releases carbon into the atmosphere.
B) Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere.
C) Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them returns carbon to the soil.
D) Fossil fuels require a lot of carbon to burn, which takes carbon out of the atmosphere.
B) Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere.
The correct answer is B) Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere.
Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are derived from ancient plants and organisms that have undergone geological processes over millions of years. These fuels contain high concentrations of carbon, which is stored as organic matter. When we burn fossil fuels, the carbon in them combines with oxygen from the air to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. This process is known as combustion.
As a result of combustion, the carbon that was stored in fossil fuels is released into the atmosphere as CO2. This influx of CO2 contributes to the greenhouse effect, which is responsible for trapping heat and warming the Earth's surface. This phenomenon is a major factor in climate change.
To determine the correct answer (B), it is important to understand that burning fossil fuels releases carbon into the atmosphere, not into the soil (option C) or out of the atmosphere (option D). Additionally, fossil fuels do require carbon to burn, but the key point is that burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere (option A is incorrect due to its wording).