Fossil Fuels and Plastics

Fossil Fuels Coal Oil Natural Gas (methane)

Coal, Oil and Gas

Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons Compounds that contain hydrogen and carbon only

The chemicals in Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are all sources of hydrocarbons The simplest hydrocarbon is methane CH4 (natural gas)

Burning Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbons produce carbon dioxide and water when burned Hydrocarbon + oxygen water + carbon dioxide

Global warming This extra carbon dioxide has resulted in the earth’s temperature increasing This is known as global warming

Acid Rain (HL)

Acid Rain When coal, peat, oil and petrol are burned the sulfur often present forms a compound called sulfur dioxide (SO2) Volcanoes produce small amounts of this gas

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) dissolves in rain to form acid rain

H2 SO4 (Sulfuric Acid) H2 SO3 (Sulfurous Acid) Are 2 of the acids present in acid rain

Effects of Acid Rain Causes lakes to become acidic, killing fish Causes forests to become more acidic, killing trees

Effects of Acid Rain Acid rain reacts with limestone The limestone dissolves in the rain Acid rain attacks iron structures such as bridges It reduces agricultural production: cereals and grass

Plastics They are a large family of materials that can be shaped or moulded on heating

Plastics Plastic bags and squeezy bottles Pipes and gutters Hosepipes and shower curtains Food containers and electrical components

Packaging and coffee cups Carpets and combs

Properties of Plastics Strong and flexible Long lasting Waterproof Good heat insulators Excellent electrical insulators

Crude Oil Crude oil provides the raw material for the manufacture of plastics

Pollution by Plastics Non biodegradable means it does not rot. To deal with this problem we can recycle Most can be melted and reused again