Question detail
What is the primary greenhouse gas released by burning fossil fuels?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Carbon dioxide and methane as greenhouse gases
Question
- A. Methane
- B. Carbon dioxide
- C. Water vapour
- D. Nitrous oxide
Answer
Carbon dioxide
Explanation
Burning fossil fuels primarily releases carbon dioxide, which is a significant greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
Common mistake
Misattributing CO₂ source to burning fossil fuels
Students often think that burning fossil fuels only releases carbon dioxide that was already present in the fuel, ignoring that the combustion process also produces new CO₂ from the oxygen in the air.
Explain that when fossil fuels are burned, the carbon atoms in the fuel combine with oxygen from the atmosphere to form new CO₂ molecules, thereby increasing the total amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
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