7.1.3

Fuel

Test yourself

How Do Rocks Provide Fuel?

The three fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal) are formed as fossils compress over millions of years into sedimentary rock. Therefore, rocks are able to provide us fuel.

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Formation of sedimentary rocks

  • As dead plants and animals fall to the bottom of the sea, they are compressed (over million of years) to form sedimentary rocks.
  • It is through drilling into these rocks and releasing the fossil fuels that rocks are able to provide us with fuel.
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Fossil fuels

  • The discovery that these substances could be burned to produce energy has been directly responsible for much of the technological advancement in recent history.
  • However, burning these fossil fuels has also contributed to global temperature rise and climate change.
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Climate change

  • Because of climate change, many governments and companies are turning away from fossil fuels and trying to use renewable energy sources instead.
    • E.g. wind and solar power.

Jump to other topics

1Geography Skills

2Geology of the UK

3Geography of the World

4Development

5Weather & Climate

6The World of Work

7Natural Resources

8Rivers

9Coasts

10Glaciers

11Tectonics

12Climate Change

13Global Population & Inequality

14Urbanisation

15Ecosystems

16Life in an Emerging Country

17Analysis of Africa

18Analysis of India

19Analysis of the Middle East

20Analysis of Bangladesh

21Analysis of Russia

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