Final answer:
The statement is false; geothermal energy comes from the Earth's internal heat and involves using steam to generate electricity or provide heating, not from burning organic materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that geothermal energy is derived from burning organic material such as wood, alcohol, and garbage is false. Geothermal energy is, in fact, a renewable, nonpolluting source of energy that comes from the Earth's internal heat. This heat originates from the Earth's molten iron core that was created during the formation and compression of the early Earth, as well as from the heat produced continuously by the radioactive decay of elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium within the Earth's crust.
Geothermal energy is harnessed by drilling wells to access steam, which is created when groundwater is heated by the Earth's internal heat sources. This steam can then be used to drive turbines to generate electricity or provide direct heating for buildings, especially in regions near tectonic plate boundaries. This process does not involve burning organic materials, making it a clean and sustainable energy source.