Question

Which of these puts the least emission into the air? (a)Oil (b)Coal (c)Natural Gas (d)Uranium

Answer 1

Well, I would argue that the fuel with LEAST emissions is uranium......`(d)`....

Explanation:

Uranium relies on a `"nucular process"` to provide energy; of course, the extraction and processing of uranium ores constitutes some (not inconsiderable) carbon footprint.

The fossil fuels all result in the production of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by chemical means, and lower grade coal ores also output some sulfur and nitrogen oxides:

`C(s) + O_2(g) rarr CO_2(g) + Delta`

`C_nH_(2n+2)(l) + (3n+1)/2O_2(g)rarrnCO_2(g) +(n+1)H_2O(l)+Delta`

Sulfur and nitrogen contaminants in the coal ores also result in the formation of sulfur and nitrogen oxides.

Of the fossil fuels, methane, i.e. natural gas, is by far the cleanest....

`CH_4+2O_2(g) rarr CO_2(g) + 2H_2O(l) + Delta`