Question

the burning of fossil fuels returns _______ to the atmosphere. oxygen gas nitrogen gas carbon dioxide rewatch

Explanation:

Fossil fuels are composed of carbon - based compounds. When they burn, they react with oxygen. The general chemical reaction for the combustion of a hydrocarbon (a common type of fossil fuel) is \(C_xH_y+(x + \frac{y}{4})O_2
ightarrow xCO_2+\frac{y}{2}H_2O\). So, carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) is produced. Oxygen gas (\(O_2\)) is consumed in the burning process, not returned. Nitrogen gas (\(N_2\)) is not a product of the burning of fossil fuels (unless there are nitrogen - containing impurities in very small amounts, but that is not the main product).

Answer:

Carbon Dioxide