The graph below shows the total energy consumption in the u. s. starting at 1775 and into the 2000s, organized by energy resource.

graph— history of u. s. energy consumption
image courtesy of the u. s. energy information administration

around 1950, petroleum surpassed coal as the leading energy resource used in the united states. which statement best explains this change?
a.
after 1950, americans started using an increasing amount of renewable energy resources to generate electricity.
b.
as more americans started driving automobiles, the consumption of energy derived from petroleum drastically increased.
c.
prior to the late 19th century, wood was the leading energy resource consumed in the united states.
d.
after 1950, americans stopped using electricity that was generated by coal-fired power plants.