Fossil Fuels The Most Common Fuels Mr. Matthew Rodman Science Patria Mirabal Middle School (MS 324) New York City, New York, USA

Focus How has scarcity of resources shaped American society? What problems will the continued use of fossil fuels cause?

Fossil Fuels In the United States, 92% of all the energy comes from the burning of fossil fuels. There are three types of fossil fuels. 1.Coal 2.Oil (Petroleum) 3.Natural Gas All fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide and water when they are burned for fuel.

Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. There is enough coal to last about 150 years before it is all used up. There is enough petroleum to last about 80 years before it is all used up. There is enough natural gas to last about 200 years before it is all used up.

Coal Coal is the cheapest fossil fuel. Coal is made out of fossilized plants from millions of years ago. It is burned to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It is the most polluting (dirty) fossil fuel. It is used to generate 22% of the United States electricity.

Petroleum Petroleum is the most common source of energy. It is made out of fossilized algae from millions of years ago. It is burned to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It is a very polluting fossil fuel. It is used to generate 39% of the electricity in the United States. It is also important to make plastics, gasoline, and other products.

Natural Gas Natural gas is methane (CH 4 ). It is made out of fossilized algae from millions of years ago. It is burned to release energy, carbon dioxide, and water. It is a relatively clean but expensive fossil fuel. It is used to generate 23% of the electricity in the United States. It is a gas and so is very hard to handle.

Benefits of Fossil Fuels Relatively inexpensive Technology already exists Efficient Produces a lot of energy

Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels Fossil fuels are polluting, meaning they release poisons into the environment. Coal and oil contain sulfur and nitrogen impurities that, when burned, make nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides that form acids in rain (causing acid rain). Sometimes deadly chemicals like arsenic or lead are released when coal or oil are burned. To get fossil fuels, they need to be drilled out of the ground, which can damage the environment.

Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuels All fossil fuels also contribute to the greenhouse effect by releasing carbon dioxide when they are burned. Carbon dioxide is not pollution (it is not poisonous and it is not the result of impurities in the energy resource).

Fossil Fuels and the Greenhouse Effect The use of fossil fuels causes the greenhouse effect by releasing carbon dioxide. The only way to prevent or reverse the greenhouse effect is to absorb carbon dioxide. Plants, through the process of photosynthesis, absorb carbon dioxide. To reverse the greenhouse effect, forests must be planted to absorb all the excess carbon dioxide.

Review 1.The three types of fossil fuels are __________, __________, and __________. 2.All fossil fuels produce __________ when they are burned. 3.Fossil fuels are a __________ natural resource. 4.The burning of fossil fuels is connected with global __________. 5.The best way to reverse global warming is to __________.

Questions COMPARE: How are fossil fuels classified? What traits do they share and how are they different? HYPOTHESIZE: What do you think caused fossil fuels to be the most commonly used fuel source in the United States? EXPLAIN: What do you think will happen when fossil fuels become more difficult to find? APPLY: How would you argue in favor of the building of a fossil fuel power plant?