Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, with varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium. It is a significant fossil fuel and non-renewable resource.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Natural gas is a fluid (gas) and is most efficiently transported over long distances through a network of pipelines. This method is cost-effective and safer compared to road or rail transport for gaseous fuels.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Natural gas is considered a "cleaner" fossil fuel compared to petrol and diesel. When burned, it produces significantly lower quantities of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter. It also emits less carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced than coal or oil.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Natural gas is typically found in deep underground rock formations or associated with other hydrocarbon reservoirs in coal beds and methane clathrates. It is formed from the decomposition of organic matter in sedimentary basins, not in volcanic craters. Volcanic emissions primarily consist of water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur gases, but not commercially viable natural gas deposits.
Key Takeaway
Natural gas is a cleaner alternative to conventional liquid fossil fuels, primarily composed of methane, and is typically found in sedimentary rock formations often associated with petroleum deposits.