MCQ Detailed View

Fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas are the main sources of energy for industries, vehicles, and power plants worldwide. When these fuels are burned, they release large amounts of gases into the atmosphere. The major result of burning fossil fuels is the increase in greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O).

Greenhouse gases are responsible for trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. As their levels rise, more heat is retained, leading to global warming and climate change. This process is called the greenhouse effect. Scientific data shows that human activities, especially the combustion of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution, have significantly increased atmospheric CO₂ levels.

The other options are incorrect:

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  Increased oxygen level: Burning fuels actually consumes oxygen, reducing its level slightly instead of increasing it.

  
  


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  Decreases greenhouse gases: Fossil fuel combustion is the primary cause of greenhouse gas emissions, not a solution to reducing them.

  
  


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  Increased ethane level: While burning can produce some hydrocarbons, ethane is not the main gas emitted compared to carbon dioxide.

  
  

The environmental consequences of this process are serious. Higher greenhouse gas concentrations lead to rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, sea level rise, extreme weather events, and loss of biodiversity. It also causes air pollution, releasing harmful substances like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to acid rain and respiratory problems in humans.

Understanding this concept is crucial in environmental science, as it explains why reducing fossil fuel use and switching to cleaner energy sources is important for maintaining Earth’s climate balance and preventing long-term environmental damage.