Question

The best source of energy in the environment is
A. Water
B. Soil
C. Trees
D. Ponds

Answer 1

Hint:
There are various forms of energy found in the environment and a vast majority of these are harnessed to meet the needs of inhabitants and to do other works as well. There are two types of energy sources: renewable and non-renewable.

Complete step by step answer:
The energy harnessed from water is known as hydroelectric energy. This form takes advantage of the kinetic energy of the moving water while falling from a required height, as it gets converted to electrical energy. The water in the reservoir which can be either rivers or lakes are made to fall through a turbine thereby producing electrical energy. Here one form of energy is getting converted to another form. It is a renewable source of energy. It is the best source of energy because it does not contribute to the environmental pollution and water levels cannot get depleted on the usage. Energy can also be harnessed from other water bodies such as the oceans, where the tidal energy gets converted to electricity.
Considering the other given options:
Soil is used to generate electric power in microbial fuel cells, where the chemical energy from the organic components of the soil gets converted to electrical energy through microorganisms. Since only a little power gets generated every time, it cannot be considered as the best source even though it is a sustainable power source.
The biomass produced by the trees can be used as a source of production of electricity, but over time the levels get depleted and can also lead to atmospheric pollution.
Ponds individually cannot be considered as a hydroelectric power source, since the water is mostly stagnant and it requires a running water source.
Thus from the above given options A is the correct answer.

Note:
All sources of energy which cannot be replaced at a fast rate and which takes years for its formation are known as non-renewable sources of energy. The examples of these are the fossil fuels which includes coal, natural gas and oil.