Final answer:
The major fossil fuels are coal, petroleum (oil), and natural gas, ranked from most to least abundant as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Coal is abundant but has high CO₂ emissions, while petroleum is the most widely used mainly for transportation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major fossil fuels are coal, petroleum (often referred to as oil), and natural gas. These ancient forms of solar energy have been used by humanity to generate power and fuel our industries and transportation. When ranking them from most to least abundant, based on the information provided:
- Coal
- Petroleum (Oil)
- Natural Gas
Coal is considered the most abundant fossil fuel but also the worst in terms of CO₂ emissions. Petroleum, the most widely used fossil fuel globally, is primarily utilized for transportation and the production of various synthetic compounds, including plastics. Natural gas, which contributes the least in usage rate when stacked against the other two, is still a vital resource but not as abundant as coal or petroleum.