Question

How is burning of fossil fuels thought to be related to global warming?

Answer 1

Hint: Fossil fuels are burned to liberate energy. The energy derived by the burning of fossil fuels is the major energy source for developed and developing countries. Fossil fuels have been found to emit harmful air pollutants. Burning of fossil fuels is also the main reason behind the occurrence of smog.

Complete answer:
The burning of fossil fuels leads to the increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide traps the heat and leads to additional heating, thereby causing an increase in global warming.

● Fossil fuels are formed by the fossilization of the buried remains of plants and animals.
● Crude oil, petroleum, coal and natural gas are some of the examples of fossil fuels. They have high carbon content.
● They consist of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons burning in the presence of oxygen leads to the production of carbon dioxide.
● The energy conversion underlying is the conversion of chemical energy to heat energy, and then to kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is then converted to electrical energy.
● Fossil fuels are burned in the presence of oxygen to generate energy in power stations.
● CO 2 and several greenhouse gases are released. These majorly contribute to global warming and therefore lead to drastic changes in the climate.
● Global warming causes excessive melting of the glacier caps and rise in the sea level.

Note: Governments are now majorly focusing on suppressing greenhouse gas emissions. The fossil fuels are being replaced with renewable energy sources to increase the energy efficiency. The combustion of fossil fuels releases sulfuric and nitric acids, which has a negative effect on the natural environment. Fossil fuels contain radioactive materials such as uranium and thorium.