Homework Solution

TQ 1-2

The energy source with the most rapid growth over the last 50 years is oil.  The rapid increase in the use of oil is due to

• relatively low cost over that time period
• adaptability to many uses
• relatively low pollution compared to coal and biomass, the energy sources that dominated before the increased use of oil

Over shorter periods of time, the use of energy produced by natural gas and wind has grown at faster rates than the use of oil.