Energy Resources – Fossil Fuels Note Sheet - HName ______
7th Grade Environmental Science
Mrs. Krempa Date & Section ______
Be detailed in your answers during the presentations – these are your only notes!
1. List the three main fossil fuels
a. Coalb. Petroleum
c. Natural Gas
2. Howare fossil fuels are made?
Energy provided by the sun was converted to chemical energy by plants & animals. Energy in those plants and animals remain stored in the cells when plants/animals die. Organisms covered by sediment, add heat and pressure. Remains are changed over millions of years and when dug up and burned, the original energy is released.
3. What fossil fuel is predicted to last the longest? Coal
4. What is the most serious environmental threat of using fossil fuels? Releases CO2 that increase Greenhouse gasses, lead to Global Warming, makes acid rain
5. Define hydrocarbon. List three names.
A compound composed only of carbon and hydrogen. Methane, Ethane & Octane
6. Octane Use iso-octaneadded to gasoline to control the rate at which the gasoline burns in an engine
7. What is coal? How is it made? (Include carbon content & burning).
Millions of years ago swamp plants died and were covered with sediment. Millions of years of heat
and pressure changed plant material in to solid rock (coal). As time goes on the carbon content in the plant matter increases (more concentrated). More carbon means more energy when burned.
8. What is peat? First stage in coal formation. Brittle, brown plant material. Dead swamp plants get
covered with sediment and squeezed together.
Where is it found At Earth’s surface
% carbon very little carbon
how does it burn? burns quickly with lots of smoke,
Usescan be burned like wood for heat, to cook and light
9. What is Lignite? 2nd stage in coal formation. Soft, brown coal. More sediments add pressure & heat
to Peat.
Where is it found Found underground and must be mined.
% Carbon 40% carbon.
how does it burn burns quickly but with little smoke
Uses Can be burned like wood.
9. What is bituminous coal? 3rd stage in coal formation. Soft coal. Over time, heat and pressure change
lignite into a purer form of coal.
where is it foundDeep in earth’s crust, most mined coal in USA
% carbon 85% carbon.
how does it burn burns hot with less smoke
Uses industry and in coal burning power plants.
10. What is anthracite coal? Hard coal, shiny, black. Heat and pressure added to bituminous to a
metamorphic rock.
Where found Deepest underground of all coals
% Carbon 95% carbon
how does it burn burns hot with the least amount of smoke. “Cleanest” burning.
Uses home heating
12. What is petroleum? A liquid fossil fuel
How made Remains of plants and animals living in the sea covered by sediments.
Heat & pressure over millions of years.
How underground pools form Like an aquifer… after remains turn into petroleum, sinks through
permeable rock until liquid hits a layer of nonpermeable rock. Fills in cracks and spaces in rock to form a “pool”
Gotten Just like water…Drill and sink a well into “pool”. Either pumped to surface or under enough
pressure to shoot up on its own (gusher)
*Uses Refined (changed) into gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, home fuel oil, grease asphalt (blacktop), nylon /
rayon & polyester (synthetic fibers), plastics, makeup, bubble gum….
13. What is natural gas?A gaseous fossil fuel made of hydrocarbons.
Where is it found? Trapped above petroleum pools.
How formed just like petroleum – remains of sea creatures / plants
What is the most common gas in natural gas? Methane
How is natural gas used? Home heating, stoves, water heaters, clothes dryers
Why energy efficient? No need to change or refine it. Cane be used as is – no need to change it to
Electricity like coal or oil.
14. Uses of fossil fuels –include all products made from fossil fuels and all other uses! See * above and… next
page. WOW!
Solvents / Diesel fuel / Motor Oil / Bearing GreaseInk / Floor Wax / Ballpoint Pens / Football Cleats
Upholstery / Sweaters / Boats / Insecticides
Bicycle Tires / Sports Car Bodies / Nail Polish / Fishing lures
Dresses / Tires / Golf Bags / Perfumes
Cassettes / Dishwasher parts / Tool Boxes / Shoe Polish
Motorcycle Helmet / Caulking / Petroleum Jelly / Transparent Tape
CD Player / Faucet Washers / Antiseptics / Clothesline
Curtains / Food Preservatives / Basketballs / Soap
Vitamin Capsules / Antihistamines / Purses / Shoes
Dashboards / Cortisone / Deodorant / Footballs
Putty / Dyes / Panty Hose / Refrigerant
Percolators / Life Jackets / Rubbing Alcohol / Linings
Skis / TV Cabinets / Shag Rugs / Electrician's Tape
Tool Racks / Car Battery Cases / Epoxy / Paint
Mops / Slacks / Insect Repellent / Oil Filters
Umbrellas / Yarn / Fertilizers / Hair Coloring
Roofing / Toilet Seats / Fishing Rods / Lipstick
Denture Adhesive / Linoleum / Ice Cube Trays / Synthetic Rubber
Speakers / Plastic Wood / Electric Blankets / Glycerin
Tennis Rackets / Rubber Cement / Fishing Boots / Dice
Nylon Rope / Candles / Trash Bags / House Paint
Water Pipes / Hand Lotion / Roller Skates / Surf Boards
Shampoo / Wheels / Paint Rollers / Shower Curtains
Guitar Strings / Luggage / Aspirin / Safety Glasses
Antifreeze / Football Helmets / Awnings / Eyeglasses
Clothes / Toothbrushes / Ice Chests / Footballs
Combs / CD's & DVD's / Paint Brushes / Detergents
Vaporizers / Balloons / Sun Glasses / Tents
Heart Valves / Crayons / Parachutes / Telephones
Enamel / Pillows / Dishes / Cameras
Anesthetics / Artificial Turf / Artificial limbs / Bandages
Dentures / Model Cars / Folding Doors / Hair Curlers
Cold cream / Movie film / Soft Contact lenses / Drinking Cups
Fan Belts / Car Enamel / Shaving Cream / Ammonia
Refrigerators / Golf Balls / Toothpaste / Gasoline