Question

Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they ________.

1) use the heat from Earth's interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity and then can be pumped back into the ground
2) can be built for use in any location where surface drilling is possible and construction of geothermal plants increases land stability
3) use the heat from Earth's interior to directly heat buildings and houses and give off no greenhouse gases
4) do not give off hazardous air pollutants into the atmosphere and require very little water

Answer 1

Geothermal energy plants are viable because they generate electricity using Earth's heat without burning fuel, leading to low emissions and minimal environmental impact.

Step-by-step explanation:

Geothermal energy plants are a viable alternative energy source because they use the heat from Earth's interior to create steam that is used to generate electricity.

This steam can then be reinjected into the ground, maintaining a sustainable cycle. These plants produce electricity without burning fuel, resulting in very low emissions.

They release less than 1% of the carbon dioxide of a fossil fuel plant and use scrubber systems to clean air pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide found in the steam and hot water. Moreover, geothermal plants emit 97% less acid rain-causing sulfur compounds than fossil fuel plants. The use of geothermal energy as a heat source reduces energy consumption required for heating, as it takes advantage of the constant subsurface temperatures for heat exchange.