1. There are many misconceptions about fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas). A major one is the
thought that fossil fuels come from dinosaurs. Of the following, which best describes the origin of the
energy held within fossil fuels.
a) The energy within fossil fuels comes from dinosaur tissues that decomposed long ago and went through
geologic processes over millions of years.
b) The energy within fossil fuels comes from ancient autotrophes that decomposed long ago and went through
geologic processes over millions of years.
c) The energy within fossil fuels comes from shale rock that formed long ago and went through geologic
processes (pressure and heat) over millions of years.
d) The energy within fossil fuels comes from plate tectonics that trap ancient ocean waters below ground over
millions of years.