Which fossil fuel has the lowest carbon per unit energy and is commonly used for heating and electricity?

Which fossil fuel has the lowest carbon per unit energy and is commonly used for heating and electricity?

• A. Coal
• B. Oil
• C. Natural Gas
• D. Biomass

Answer: (C)

Natural gas has the lowest carbon emitted per unit of energy among common fossil fuels because it is mostly methane, which has a higher hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. Burning methane releases energy with relatively less carbon to form CO2, so its emissions per unit energy are lower than those from coal or oil. Coal carries a lot more carbon in its structure, producing more CO2 for the same amount of energy, and oil sits in between but generally above natural gas in carbon intensity. Natural gas also tends to burn cleaner, with fewer pollutants, making it a popular choice for heating and electricity generation where lower emissions are desirable.

Natural gas has the lowest carbon emitted per unit of energy among common fossil fuels because it is mostly methane, which has a higher hydrogen-to-carbon ratio. Burning methane releases energy with relatively less carbon to form CO2, so its emissions per unit energy are lower than those from coal or oil. Coal carries a lot more carbon in its structure, producing more CO2 for the same amount of energy, and oil sits in between but generally above natural gas in carbon intensity. Natural gas also tends to burn cleaner, with fewer pollutants, making it a popular choice for heating and electricity generation where lower emissions are desirable.