Which statement identifies a nonrenewable energy source from the table and correctly explains why this source is considered nonrenewable?

Question

Responses
A Biomass is a nonrenewable resource because once the waste material is used up, there is no way to produce additional waste material.Biomass is a nonrenewable resource because once the waste material is used up, there is no way to produce additional waste material.
B Solar energy is nonrenewable because there are only so many hours each day that a specific location receives sunlight due to Earth’s rotation.Solar energy is nonrenewable because there are only so many hours each day that a specific location receives sunlight due to Earth’s rotation.
C Wind energy is nonrenewable because the air pressure difference required to produce wind is not available at all times in all locations.Wind energy is nonrenewable because the air pressure difference required to produce wind is not available at all times in all locations.
D Petroleum is nonrenewable because there is a fixed amount of oil underground and new petroleum takes millions of years to form.

Answer 1

The correct response that identifies a nonrenewable energy source and correctly explains why this source is considered nonrenewable is:

D Petroleum is nonrenewable because there is a fixed amount of oil underground and new petroleum takes millions of years to form.

Petroleum fits the definition of a nonrenewable resource because it cannot be replenished on a human timescale, and its extraction rates often exceed its natural formation rates.