Coal and Petroleum Conservation: Key Facts

The question asks to identify the correct statement regarding the conservation of coal and petroleum.

Analysis of Statements

• Option 1: They are inexpensive to extract. This statement is incorrect. Extracting fossil fuels like coal and petroleum often involves significant costs and complex technology.
• Option 2: Their formation takes millions of years. This statement is correct. Coal and petroleum are fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient organisms over millions of years under specific geological conditions (heat and pressure).
• Option 3: They do not cause pollution. This statement is incorrect. The combustion of coal and petroleum releases pollutants into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
• Option 4: They are renewable resources of energy. This statement is incorrect. Coal and petroleum are non-renewable resources because they are consumed much faster than they can be naturally formed.

Conclusion on Conservation

Understanding that coal and petroleum form over geological timescales (millions of years) highlights their finite nature. This slow formation rate makes them non-renewable resources, emphasizing the critical need for their conservation.