Question

which fossil fuel releases the most carbon dioxide when burned? petroleum natural gas oil coal

Explanation:

To determine which fossil fuel releases the most carbon dioxide when burned, we analyze the carbon content and combustion properties of each option:

• Petroleum (also often referred to as oil in a general sense here) has a significant carbon content but less than coal.
• Natural gas (mostly methane, \(CH_4\)) has a relatively lower carbon - to - hydrogen ratio compared to coal, so it produces less \(CO_2\) per unit of energy released.
• Coal is a fossil fuel that has a very high carbon content. When coal is burned, the carbon in it combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide. Due to its high carbon content (compared to petroleum and natural gas), coal releases the most carbon dioxide among these fossil fuels.

Answer:

D. coal (assuming the options are labeled A: petroleum, B: natural gas, C: oil, D: coal)