Energy Resources

Fossil Fuels

• Fossil Fuel- a nonrenewable energy source formed from remains that lived long ago

• Types of fossil fuels– Petroleum (also known as oil)– Natural Gas– Coal

Fossil Fuels

• How do they form?– Petroleum and natural gas- form from remains of

microscopic sea organisms and settle on ocean floor. Takes millions of years

– Coal formation- pressure and heat cause changes in the remainder of swamp plants. First it is peat, then hear and pressure are applied and carbon content increases

Fossil Fuels

• Problems with fossil fuels– Coal mining-creates environmental problems, coal

mines could collapse– Acid precipitation-precipitation such as rain, snow,

or sleet with a high acid concentration because of pollution against atmosphere.

– Smog- haze that forms when sunlight acts on industrial pollutants

Alternative Resources

• Nuclear Energy- energy released by a fission or fusion reaction– Fission- process where nuclei of radioactive atoms

are split into two or more– Fusion- joining of two or more nuclei

Alternative Resources

• Chemical Energy- released when a chemical compound reacts to produce new compounds

• Solar Energy- received by the earth from the sun in form of radiation

• Wind power- use of a windmill to drive an electric generator

• Hydroelectric energy- electrical energy produced by falling water

Alternative Resources

• Biomass- organic matter that can be a source of energy

• Gasohol- a mixture of gasoline and alcohol that is used as a fuel

• Geothermal energy- produced by heat within the earth