Fossil Fuels
Geography: KS3, topic 7.2.2
What are the ‘Fossil Fuels’?
The term ‘fossil fuels’ refers to three non-renewable energy resources that we use to provide us with most of our fuel. They are particularly important in generating electricity but have many other uses.
Fossil fuels
- The three fossil fuels are oil, natural gas and coal.
- They are called fossil fuels because they are found in sedimentary rocks and formed over millions of years through the sedimentation of dead plants and animals (fossils!).
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Climate change
- These fossil fuels have provided us with a significant amount of our global energy in the 19th, 20th and 21st century.
- But they are also very polluting and release a large amount of carbon dioxide when burnt.
- This is leading to climate change and so we need to try to move away from using so many fossil fuels.
Uses of fossil fuels
- We use fossil fuels for lots of different uses.
- Burning coal, oil or natural gas can produce electricity which we use to power lights, computers and household devices.
- Processing oil into diesel and petrol provides fuel for planes, trains and cars.
- Natural gas provides the fuel to heat our homes and power our cookers.
Test yourself on Fossil Fuels
Which of the following is NOT a fossil fuel?