The best explanation for why air is considered a natural resource is:
b. Air is a raw material for biological processes supplied by the Earth.
Here's why:
1. Air is essential for various biological processes on Earth, including respiration in animals and photosynthesis in plants.
2. It is a mixture of gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen, that provides the necessary elements for life to thrive.
3. Humans, animals, and plants all depend on the air to survive and carry out their metabolic processes.
4. Unlike options a and c, the value of air as a natural resource lies in its vital role in sustaining life rather than its cost or potential for processing into expensive chemicals.
Therefore, option b best explains why air is considered a natural resource.