Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 23 - Give It Some Thought - Page 731: 2

Answer

The combustion of coal has a higher environmental impact than the combustion of natural gas due to the difference in carbon content and the presence of impurities. Coal contains a higher proportion of carbon compared to natural gas. When coal is burned, it releases a larger amount of carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, coal often contains impurities like sulfur and heavy metals, which are released into the atmosphere as harmful pollutants when coal is burned. In contrast, natural gas has a higher energy content per unit of carbon and produces fewer emissions and pollutants when burned.

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