Question
Which fossil fuel is less polluting?
Group of answer choices
Oil
Natural Gas
Coal
Nuclear Fuel
Group of answer choices
Oil
Natural Gas
Coal
Nuclear Fuel
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Among the fossil fuels listed, **Natural Gas** is generally considered to be the least polluting option. It produces fewer carbon emissions when burned compared to oil and coal. Additionally, natural gas emits lower levels of other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to air quality issues.
However, it's important to note that while natural gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels, it is still a fossil fuel and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, which can leak during extraction and transportation. Nuclear fuel, while not a fossil fuel, produces no carbon emissions during electricity generation and can be considered a cleaner energy source in terms of pollution.
If you are strictly comparing fossil fuels, the answer would be **Natural Gas**. If considering overall pollution, including factors beyond carbon emissions, nuclear energy would be cleaner.
However, it's important to note that while natural gas is cleaner than other fossil fuels, it is still a fossil fuel and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, which can leak during extraction and transportation. Nuclear fuel, while not a fossil fuel, produces no carbon emissions during electricity generation and can be considered a cleaner energy source in terms of pollution.
If you are strictly comparing fossil fuels, the answer would be **Natural Gas**. If considering overall pollution, including factors beyond carbon emissions, nuclear energy would be cleaner.