Question

1. energy demands increase in a city so their power plant combusts more fossil fuels.

a) how will the amount of carbon in the atmosphere respond?
i) why?

Explanation:

Part a)

Fossil fuels (like coal, oil, natural gas) are carbon - based compounds. When they undergo combustion (burning) in power plants, the chemical reaction releases carbon in the form of carbon dioxide ($\ce{CO_2}$) and other carbon - containing gases into the atmosphere. If the power plant combusts more fossil fuels due to increased energy demand, more of these carbon - containing gases will be emitted. So, the amount of carbon (in the form of carbon - containing gases) in the atmosphere will increase.

Fossil fuels are composed of carbon - based molecules. The combustion process of fossil fuels can be generally represented by reactions like $\ce{C + O_2 -> CO_2}$ (for carbon - rich fuels) or more complex reactions for hydrocarbons (e.g., $\ce{CH_4 + 2O_2 -> CO_2 + 2H_2O}$ for methane). When the power plant burns more fossil fuels, the chemical reactions involved in combustion produce more carbon - containing gases (such as carbon dioxide) and release them into the atmosphere. This leads to a higher concentration of carbon (in gaseous form) in the atmosphere.

Answer:

The amount of carbon in the atmosphere will increase.

Part i)