Question

Which of the following is a non-renewable source of energy?
A. Coal
B. Petroleum
C. Natural gas
D. All of the above

Answer 1

Hint-This question is related to the topic of various sources of energy. So, first we need to learn about the basics and then after we will apply this theory in this question.
Most non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels. Carbon is the main element in fossil fuels. For this reason, the time period that fossil fuels formed (about 360-300 million years ago) is called the Carboniferous Period.

Complete answer:
A non-renewable resource (also called a finite resource) is a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a quick enough pace to keep up with consumption.
An example is carbon-based fossil fuel. The original organic matter, with the aid of heat and pressure, becomes a fuel such as oil or gas. Earth minerals and metal ores, fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) and groundwater in certain aquifers are all considered nonrenewable resources, though individual elements are always conserved (except in nuclear reactions).
Natural resources such as coal, petroleum (crude oil) and natural gas take thousands of years to form naturally and cannot be replaced as fast as they are being consumed.
Eventually it is considered that fossil-based resources will become too costly to harvest and humanity will need to shift its reliance to other sources of energy such as solar or wind power
A non-renewable resource (also called a finite resource) can be finished after some time but a renewable resource is permanent in nature.

So, from the above discussion, we conclude that Coal, Petroleum and Natural gas are non-renewable sources of energy.

Therefore, option (D) is the correct answer.

Note- For better understanding, we need to also know about renewable energy resources. The renewable energy from the sun, wind, wave, biomass and geothermal energies are based on renewable resources. Renewable resources such as the movement of water (hydropower, tidal power and wave power), wind and radiant energy from geothermal heat (used for geothermal power) and solar energy (used for solar power) are practically infinite and cannot be depleted.