Question

question 10 of 30
what would most likely occur if the number of power plants powered by fossil fuels worldwide increased?

a. it would cause the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to increase because more coal would be burned.

b. it would lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because less coal would be burned.

c. it would cause the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to increase because less natural gas would be burned.

d. it would lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because more natural gas would be burned.

Explanation:

Fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, etc., when burned, release carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) into the atmosphere. If the number of fossil - fuel - powered power plants increases, more fossil fuels will be burned. Option A states that more coal (a fossil fuel) being burned will increase atmospheric $CO_2$, which is correct. Option B is wrong because more power plants would mean more, not less, coal burning. Option C is wrong as more power plants would mean more, not less, natural gas burning, and burning natural gas also releases $CO_2$. Option D is wrong because burning more natural gas would increase, not lower, $CO_2$ levels.

Answer:

A. It would cause the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to increase because more coal would be burned.