Question

Compare and contrast fossil fuels and the sun as direct sources of energy.

Answer 1

Hint
Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion and the sun's energy is radiated as electromagnetic radiations. This energy reaches the earth as electromagnetic radiations. Fossil fuels are produced from the waste and dead bodies of plants and animals.

Complete step by step answer
Sun as a direct energy source
Sun is a star in its hydrogen-burning phase. This means that the sun produces its energy through hydrogen fusion. In hydrogen fusion, two hydrogen molecules combine to form helium. The mass difference between the hydrogen atoms and the helium atom will be converted into energy. Sun's energy reaches the earth's surface through electromagnetic radiation. This energy is directly used by plants for photosynthesis.
Fossil Fuel:
Fossil fuel is produced from the dead bodies of plants and animals. The carcass of plants and animals undergo various processes to form fossil fuels. The energy stored in the plants by photosynthesis is present in their fossil. This energy is released when we use fossil fuels. Hence we can say that we use the sun's energy indirectly through fossil fuels.

Sun	Fossil Fuel
Sun is a renewable source of energy.	Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy
Sunlight as an energy source does not produce any pollution.	As a result of their burning, fossil fuels produce pollution
Sun's energy is not available during the night	Fossil fuels can be used at any time
Devices like solar cells, solar cooker, solar heater, etc. use sunlight for energy production	Coal, crude oil, etc. are fossil fuels.

Note
Both sunlight and fossil fuels are traditional sources of energy. Both can be used for producing energy directly. Fossil fuels are exhaustible. After a long time, fossil fuels will get over. Solar energy is available for a prolonged period. The installation of solar devices is initially expensive but solar energy is a comparatively cheaper source than any other source of energy.