How do fossil fuels play a role in carbon cycle?

Question

Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere

Fossil fules require a lot of carbon to burn, which takes carbon out of the atmosphere

Fossil fules require a lot of carbon to burn, which releases carbon into the atmosphere

Fossil fules are rich in carbon, and burning theme returns carbon to the soil

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The correct statement regarding the role of fossil fuels in the carbon cycle is:

Fossil fuels are rich in carbon, and burning them releases carbon into the atmosphere.

When fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) are burned for energy, they oxidize and release carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This process contributes to the greenhouse effect and climate change, as it increases the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere. The combustion of fossil fuels is a significant part of the carbon cycle, as it transfers carbon that has been stored in geological formations (from ancient biological materials) back into the atmosphere.