Use the graph to answer the question.
The vertical axis ranges from 0 to 100 in increments of 10. The horizontal axis lists dates from 1776 to 2018. The data is as follows. 1776: Wood, 100%. 1801: Wood, 100%. 1826: Wood, 100%. 1851: Wood, 90%. Coal, 10%. 1876: Wood, 65%. Coal, 34%. Petroleum, 1%. 1901: Wood, 20%. Coal, 61%. Petroleum, 3%. Natural gas, 3%. Hydroelectric, 3%. 1926: Wood, 5%. Coal, 65%. Petroleum, 20%. Natural gas, 7%. Hydroelectric, 3%. 1951: Wood, 2%. Coal, 38%. Petroleum, 40%. Natural gas, 16%. Hydroelectric, 4%. 1976: Wood, 20%. Petroleum, 45%. Natural gas, 29%. Nuclear, 2%. Hydroelectric, 4%. 2001: Coal, 25%. Petroleum, 35%. Natural gas, 20%. Nuclear, 18%. Hydroelectric, 1%. Other renewable, 1%. 2018: Coal, 15%. Petroleum, 35%. Natural gas, 30%. Nuclear, 12%. Hydroelectric, 1%. Other renewable, 7%. The values used in the description are approximate.
Which has been the primary source of energy in the most recent century?
(1 point)
Responses
petroleum, natural gas, and coal
petroleum, natural gas, and coal
hydroelectric and other renewables
hydroelectric and other renewables
wood and coal
wood and coal
wood and nuclear
wood and nuclear
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The correct answer is: petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
To answer this question, we need to analyze the data provided in the graph. The data shows the percentages of different energy sources over time, starting from 1776 and going up to 2018.
By looking at the information given, we can see that the primary energy sources have shifted over time. In the earlier years, wood was the main source of energy, with 100% usage in 1776, 1801, and 1826. However, as time progressed, other energy sources started to emerge and take over.
In 1851, wood usage decreased to 90% and coal was introduced at 10%. This trend continued as coal usage increased in subsequent years, reaching its peak at 65% in 1876, along with the introduction of petroleum and natural gas.
As we move forward to the 20th century, there is a significant decrease in the usage of wood and coal, while petroleum, natural gas, and hydroelectric power began to take the lead. In 1951, petroleum became the dominant energy source at 40%, followed closely by coal and natural gas.
By 1976, there was a further decline in the usage of coal, and petroleum and natural gas remained the primary energy sources. Additionally, nuclear power started to make an appearance. This trend continued in 2001, with coal usage decreasing even more, while petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear power maintained their dominance.
Finally, in 2018, coal became the least used energy source, and petroleum, natural gas, and nuclear power remained the main sources, with an emerging contribution from other renewables.
Based on this analysis, we can conclude that the primary sources of energy in the most recent century have been petroleum, natural gas, and coal, making option 1 the correct answer: petroleum, natural gas, and coal.