Question

fossil fuels and climate change quick check how does the burning of fossil fuels contribute to global warming? (1 point) burning fossil fuels removes carbon dioxide and other gases from the atmosphere. burning fossil fuels adds greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, to the atmosphere. burning fossil fuels introduces carbon dioxide to parts of the atmosphere that never had it. burning fossil fuels removes oxygen and other gases from the atmosphere.

Explanation:

To determine how burning fossil fuels contributes to global warming, we analyze each option:

• The first option is incorrect because burning fossil fuels does not remove gases from the atmosphere; it releases them.
• The second option is correct. Fossil fuels (like coal, oil, gas) are carbon - based. When burned, they react with oxygen and produce carbon dioxide ($\ce{CO_2}$) and other greenhouse gases. These greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to global warming.
• The third option is incorrect. Burning fossil fuels adds carbon dioxide to the entire atmosphere, not just "parts that never had it". Also, the atmosphere already has some carbon dioxide, and burning fossil fuels increases its concentration.
• The fourth option is incorrect. Burning fossil fuels consumes oxygen (for combustion) but does not "remove" it in a way that causes global warming. The main contributor to global warming from fossil fuel burning is the addition of greenhouse gases, not the removal of oxygen.

Answer:

Burning fossil fuels adds greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, to the atmosphere.