Why are fossil fuels considered nonrenewable resources?

• A. They are constantly regenerated by photosynthesis.
• B. They are made from minerals that are abundant in Earth's crust.
• C. They are produced rapidly by living organisms each year.
• D. They take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished on a human timescale.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of nonrenewable resources: Nonrenewable resources are those that cannot be replenished or regenerated within a human timescale. This means they take an extremely long time to form and are consumed faster than they can be naturally replaced.
2. Examine the nature of fossil fuels: Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals that were buried and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.
3. Compare the formation time of fossil fuels to human timescales: Fossil fuels require geological processes that span millions of years, which is far longer than the time humans have to replenish them through natural processes.
4. Evaluate the incorrect options: Fossil fuels are not regenerated by photosynthesis, nor are they produced rapidly by living organisms each year. Additionally, they are not made from minerals abundant in Earth's crust; they are organic compounds derived from ancient life forms.
5. Conclude why fossil fuels are nonrenewable: Since fossil fuels take millions of years to form and cannot be replenished within a human timescale, they are considered nonrenewable resources.