Which of the following is an advantage of using natural gas over coal in power generation?

Using natural gas in power generation offers the advantage of lower emissions compared to coal. This is primarily due to the chemical composition of natural gas, which contains mostly methane. When natural gas is burned, it produces significantly less carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter than coal combustion.

Natural gas combustion emits around half the CO2 per unit of energy generated compared to coal. Additionally, natural gas power plants can achieve higher thermal efficiencies, further reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions per megawatt-hour produced. This aspect is particularly significant as the global focus intensifies on reducing emissions to combat climate change.

In contrast, coal is a much more carbon-intensive fuel that contributes heavily to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, leading to its categorization as a less environmentally friendly option for power generation. Thus, the use of natural gas represents a cleaner energy source, making it more favorable in efforts towards reducing the environmental impact of energy production.