Energy from the Earth

The Lithosphere contains much energy Fossil Fuels – Oil – Natural gas – Coal Uranium – And other radioactive elements Heat – Geothermal energy

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are so called because they come from plants and animals (tiny sea creatures called zooplankton – not dinosaurs) that lived millions of years ago.

Oil - The organisms die, then settle on the bottom of a lake or river. Over geologic time this organic material is transformed to gas and oil.

Coal comes from plant material that grows in marshes and peat bogs. Eventually it becomes transformed to coal with heat and pressure.

We pump and dig the oil, gas and coal out of the Lithosphere. Then burn (oxidize) it to produce thermal energy which we transform to electrical energy. This accounts for 2/3 of world electricity production.

Coal to Electricity

We have other uses for oil – the production of plastics

Fossil fuels use accounts for a huge proportion of the world’s energy consumption And this is still increasing..

Uranium Uranium is a radioactive element that is found in the Earth’s crust.

Uranium gives off heat (and nuclear particles) when it decays. The heat turns water to steam, which turns a turbine… (just like coal)

One kg of uranium can produce more heat that 1.5 million kg of coal The nuclear particles (radioactivity) that are also released is very dangerous. (cancer, radiation illness) The nuclear waste is dangerous for thousands of years.

And nuclear power can be misused..

Geothermal Energy The Earth is hot, this heat can be used to heat our homes or water..

Or to produce steam, then electricity

Energy Sources for the future? Fossil fuels are a limited resource – they’ll eventually run out. Researchers are trying to find new energy sources and to make existing energy resources safer and more efficient. Hydrogen fuel cells, plant fuels, wind, solar and nuclear fusion are just a few of the fields being researched.