In broad thermodynamic terms, the distinction between solar energy and

Question

In broad thermodynamic terms, the distinction between solar energy and energy derived from fossil fuel is artificial. Fossil Fuel molecules represent the decayed remains of plants. All of the energy these fossil fuels contain once resided in the sun and was, so to speak, trapped by plants here on Earth through the process of photosynthesis, whereupon it was housed, principally, within the carbohydrate molecules of which the plants were composed. The process of burning unleashes that energy, and when we run our lights, factories, and automobiles by burning fossil fuels __________.

Which of the following is the most logical completion of the passage above

A) We deplete our stores of an ever more precious resource

B) We use energy that is, in fact, derived from the sun

C) We spend the legacy left to us by our prehistoric ancestors

D) We mimic the process of energy generation that exists in the sun

E) We return to the sun that which originally resided there

MHIKER · Answer

IMO D.

The passage telling about processing of energy.

boomtangboy · Answer

Hi,

I think is should be B

Q) In broad thermodynamic terms, the distinction between solar energy and energy derived from fossil fuel is artificial.Fossil Fuel molecules represent the decayed reamins of plants.All of the energy these fossil fuels contain once resided in the sun and was , so to speak , trapped by plants here on Earth through the process of photosynthesis, whereupon it was housed,principally, within the carbohydrate molecules of which the plants were composed.The process of burning unleashes that energy , and when we run our lights ,factories , and automobiles by burning fossil fuels ........

Which of the following is the most logical completion of the passage above

A) We deplete our stores of an ever more precious resource .  Irrelevant Information 
B) We use energy that is , in fact,derived from the sun.   Plants => use sun's energy => Fossils => Fuel => Humans Burn 
C) We spend the legacy left to us by our prehistoric ancestors .  Irrelevant Information 
D) We mimic the process of energy generation that exists in the sun .  No where in the passage is it mentioned how energy is generated in the sun 
E) We return to the sun that which originally resided there .  Irrelevant Information

goalset · Answer

Between B and D I will go with B.
 
Here the difference between the two energy is being discussed and D refers to the  process  of energy generation, that's-why I think D is out of scope.

anubhutijain · Answer

strongly feel, answere is d, since the passage is presenting a comparative study on 2 cycles...

gargnakul123 · Answer

Thanks everybody for the reply . I agree with B 100%.

kys123 · Answer

Well I am 99% sure that it's B because it is a logical conclusion for the paragraph. The topic of this paragraph is fossil fuel is the same solar energy. It goes through how solar energy is converted into fossil energy by plants. Which means releasing fossil energy = using solar energy. Therefore solar energy = fossil both these energy comes from/derives from the sun. Not D cause nothing about how the Sun creates or processes solar energy

bobbynakka · Answer

Between B and D, it has to be B

THe process of burning unleashes energy, this means its about consuption of this eneregy.

B refers to use of energy, D refers to creation of energy.

metallicafan · Answer

+1 B Based only on the information provided, we don't know how the sun generates energy. In addition, an engine of a car doesn't work like the fision and fusion processes in the sun. 8-)

Phoenix72 · Answer

IMO B,

Facts in the passage - "All of the energy these fossil fuels contain once resided in the sun and was.......trapped by plants here on Earth " ....."The process of burning unleashes that energy ".

Hence option B -We use energy that is , in fact,derived from the sun.
Option D is irrelevant as there is not information in the passage on the process of energy generation.

iwillcrackgmat · Answer

this is an inference question and of course there is a tie between B and D

B --> clearly , Plants use sun's energy => became Fossils => converted to Fuel => energy liberated by Humans Burn .. so finally suns energy is used in other ways

D --> No process regarding energy generation is explained.

so B is the correct answer

kraizada84 · Answer

Straight B as other options are just irrelevant.

gmatfighter12 · Answer

I picked B for the same reason as above but I could not find the OA to confirm it. Does any one know?

NKT001 · Answer

IMO: B

As per the first sentence, " the distinction between solar energy and energy derived from fossil fuel is  artificial ," solar energy and energy from fossil fuel is basically similar as the latter is derived from the former.

Option D: The process of energy generation in the sun is by a reaction, known as nuclear fusion, which converts hydrogen atoms into helium. The by-product of nuclear fusion in the Sun's core is a massive volume of energy that gets released and radiates outward toward the surface of the Sun and then into the solar system beyond it.
Although the above information is not given in the stimulus, it is a fact that the process of energy generation is completely different in the sun and on earth, as per what is mentioned in the stimulus. Therefore, option is D cannot be correct. In other words, nothing is mentioned in the stimulus about process of energy generation in the sun. In an inference question you should always be able to relate everything mentioned in the option to the stimulus.

aragonn · Answer

The passage is basically this:

Fossil fuels got their energy from the sun. Here's how fossil fuels got their energy from the sun. Therefore, when we use fossil fuels, we are using energy from the sun.

It must be B.

gmat1393 · Answer

Hi  nightblade354

Please mark the OA as B for this one.

Thanks!

nightblade354 · Answer

OA was reviewed and updated. Further aesthetic changes were made to comply with forum policy. Once more, good catch!

-- Mod Nightblade

Mosaib · Answer

Correct Answer: B) We use energy that is, in fact, derived from the sun

Reasoning:
The passage argues that fossil fuels originate from plants, and plants stored solar energy through photosynthesis. Burning fossil fuels simply releases that stored solar energy. Therefore, when we use fossil fuels to power things, we are ultimately using energy that originally came from the sun.

Why others are wrong:

A) Talks about resource depletion — not the author’s thermodynamic point.

C) Focuses on ancestors, which is irrelevant to the energy origin argument.

D) Burning fossil fuels does not mimic nuclear fusion in the sun.

E) Energy is not “returned to the sun”; it is released on Earth.

In broad thermodynamic terms, the distinction between solar energy and

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In broad thermodynamic terms, the distinction between solar energy and

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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