The table that best represents the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in pounds per megawatt hour (lbs/MW-hr) due to the four different energy production technologies is the first table:
Energy Production Technology Amount of CO2 emitted (lbs/MW-hr)**
Natural Gas 1000
Coal 200
Geothermal 1500
Oil 2000
Reasons why this is the best table:
It clearly lists the four energy production technologies in the left column.
It uses the correct units of measurement (lbs/MW-hr) for carbon dioxide emissions.
The values are consistent with typical ranges for these technologies, with coal having the highest emissions and geothermal the lowest.
The order of the technologies from least to most emissions is logical and easy to understand.
The other tables have the following issues:
The second table swaps the emissions values for Coal and Geothermal, which is inaccurate.
The third table swaps the emissions values for Oil and Geothermal, which is also inaccurate.
The fourth table incorrectly lists Geothermal as having the highest emissions and Natural Gas as having the second-highest, which is not typical.
Therefore, based on the accuracy and clarity of information, the third table is the best representation of the carbon dioxide emissions for these energy production technologies.