Over the very long run, the energy source that has the greatest potential to meet humanity's needs is

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The prompt asks about the energy source with the greatest potential to meet humanity's needs over the very long run, so we should compare the options in terms of sustainability, scalability, and long-term availability.
Option 1: 'renewable biomass.' Biomass is renewable and can contribute to energy, but it competes with food production, land use, and has variable efficiency. It also often requires significant land and water resources and can emit greenhouse gases when burned, limiting its long-run superiority relative to other options.
Option 2: 'solar (the sun).' The sun provides an almost inexhaustible energy supply for humans on geological timescales. Solar energy can be captured at varying scales, from small rooftops to vast solar farms, and technological advances continue to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Its abundance and passive, widespread availability make it a leading candidate for meeting long-term energy demands.
Option 3: 'hydropower.' Hydropower is a major renewable source, but its expansion is limited by geographical constraints, ecological concerns, and dependency on water availability. It cannot scale unlimitedly in many regions due to reservoir and ecological impacts, making it less universally scalable than solar for long-run needs.
Option 4: 'coal.' Coal is abundant in some regions, but it is a fossil fuel with finite reserves, and its combustion emits significant greenhouse gases and pollutants. In the long run, reliance on coal is incompatible with climate goals and sustainability, making it the least favorable option for meeting humanity’s needs far into the future.
Overall, evaluating sustainability, scalability, and environmental implications, solar energy stands out as the most robust long-term candidate for meeting humanity’s needs. Its energy supply is vast, diffuse, and less constrained by geography or fuel cycles, especially as storage and grid technologies improve.

CHE 1V_SS1 2025 Final Exam_SS1_2025_Proctored

Over the very long run, the energy source that has the greatest potential to meet humanity's needs is

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