Which of the following energy sources is most likely to provide affordable, abundant, and easy-to-produce electricity for a factory?

• A. Geothermal energy
• B. Hydrogen fuel cells
• C. Solar power
• D. Coal

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the criteria for the energy source: it must be affordable, abundant, and easy to produce electricity for a factory setting. This means the energy source should have low costs, high availability, and reliable technology for continuous power generation.
2. Step 2: Analyze geothermal energy: it is renewable and can provide steady power, but its availability is geographically limited and initial setup costs can be high, which may affect affordability and abundance.
3. Step 3: Analyze hydrogen fuel cells: they are clean and efficient but currently expensive and require complex infrastructure for production and storage, making them less affordable and easy to produce at scale.
4. Step 4: Analyze solar power: it is renewable and becoming more affordable, but it depends on weather and daylight, which can limit its reliability and continuous power supply for a factory without significant storage solutions.
5. Step 5: Analyze coal: it is widely available, relatively inexpensive, and the technology to convert coal into electricity is well-established and reliable, making it the most likely source to provide affordable, abundant, and easy-to-produce electricity for a factory.