Question 17

Natural gas-fired power plants produce carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas emitter.

The burning of natural gas in power plants primarily results in the emission of carbon dioxide, which is a significant greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.

A) Hydrogen

Hydrogen is not a product of burning natural gas; instead, it can be a fuel source itself. While hydrogen is an element that can be produced from natural gas, its combustion does not directly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions in the same manner as carbon dioxide.

B) Radon

Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is not produced from the combustion of natural gas. It originates from the decay of uranium in the soil and has no direct relationship with the emissions from natural gas-fired power plants.

C) Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted from the combustion of natural gas. When natural gas is burned, it reacts with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, making it a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

D) Helium

Helium is an inert gas and is not produced during the combustion of natural gas. It does not play a role in the greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation.

Conclusion

Carbon dioxide is definitively the correct answer as it is the main greenhouse gas emitted from the burning of natural gas in power plants. The other options, hydrogen, radon, and helium, do not relate to the greenhouse gas emissions process, thus reinforcing that option C is the only accurate choice regarding the emissions from natural gas combustion.