Which of the following best describes public goods?

Public goods are typically defined as goods that are provided by the government and are available for consumption by all individuals without exclusion. These goods are characterized by two main features: they are non-excludable and non-rivalrous. Non-excludable means that once the good is made available, it is difficult to prevent anyone from using it, while non-rivalrous indicates that one person's use of the good does not diminish its availability for others.

The government often provides public goods because their nature makes it less likely that the market would supply them efficiently. Examples of public goods include national defense, clean air, and public parks, which are beneficial for all citizens and generally funded through taxation rather than individual purchases.

The other options do not correctly capture the essence of public goods. Goods produced by private individuals can vary widely in terms of exclusivity and rivalry. Goods that cannot be owned by individuals do not necessarily align with the characteristics of public goods, as public goods can be touched and utilized without being owned. Lastly, goods sold solely on the marketplace are typically private goods, which are excludable and rivalrous, standing in contrast to the essential qualities defining public goods.