Cadet Competition Written Practice Exam

Fossil fuels come from the remains of plants and prehistoric animals that were provided energy by what millions of years ago?

1. Moon

2. Wind

3. Sun

4. Water

The correct answer is: Sun

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, originate from the remains of ancient plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. The energy that these organisms relied on for growth and life was ultimately derived from the sun. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants converted solar energy into chemical energy, which was stored in the form of organic matter. When these plants and animals died, their remains were buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, transforming them into fossil fuels. This solar energy is crucial in understanding the formation of fossil fuels; without it, there would be no organic matter to transform into these energy sources. Other options like the moon, wind, or water did not play a central role in the energy conversion processes that led to the creation of fossil fuels.