1. Chapter 16 Energy Sources
16.1 Notes – Fossil fuels

2. Objectives Discuss properties and uses of fossil fuels.
Explain how fossil fuels are formed.
Describe how the chemical energy in fossil fuels is converted into electrical energy.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuel energy to produce electricity.

3. Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy cannot be created or destroyed
Can only be transformed from one form into another
Transformed into useful function: chemical energy is transformed into thermal to heat your home
Transformed into non-useful function: power lines lose chemical energy as thermal as the power travels through the line

4. Energy in the USA

5. Fossil Fuels Form from decaying remains of ancient plants and animals
Burning fossil fuels converts energy from chemical bonds to heat and light
Chemical energy in fossil fuels is more concentrated than in other fuels such as wood

6. Petroleum
Highly flammable liquid formed from decaying ancient organisms
Mixture of thousands of chemical compounds
Hydrocarbons = hydrogen + carbon (organic material)
Fractional distillation is used to separate the compounds in petroleum

7. Petroleum Not just used for energy Also used in Plastic
Synthetic fabrics
Grease
Motor oil
Asphalt

8. Natural gas Product of decaying ancient organisms
Contains more energy per kilogram than petroleum or coal
Burns more cleanly than other fossil fuels
Provided about ¼ of the energy consumed in the US

9. Coal Solid fossil fuel found underground
Produces more pollution when burned than petroleum or natural gas
Provides about ¼ of the energy produced in the US
About 90% of coal burned in the US is used to produce electricity

10. Electricity Generated when fossil fuels are burned
Releases thermal energy
Produces high pressure steam
Steam spins a turbine
Turbine produces electric current
Electric current is transmitted through power lines to consumers

13. Only about 35% of the energy in fossil fuels reaches consumers since some energy is lost in every stage of the process

14. Undesirables
Fossil fuels pollute the environment and increase carbon monoxide in the atmosphere
Mining coal can cause health problems for miners

15. Nonrenewable resource
Important not to waste energy

16. Fossil Fuels
I Used to Think…
but Now I Know