Non-Renewable Energy - Fossil Fuels

Science: KS3, topic 3.1.19

Fossil Fuels

We get some of our energy from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and gas. They are non-renewable.

Fossils fuels are formed from the organic remains of plants and animals.
Plants originally get their energy from the Sun in photosynthesis.
The plant and animal remains are covered by sediment.
Because of the intense heat and pressure, organic matter changes into coal, oil, and gas.
Coal is formed from dead plants that grew in swampy conditions.
Crude oil and natural gas have been formed from the remains of small microscopic marine creatures and plants.

In the past couple of years, electricity produced from fossil fuels has dropped from 75% to around 50%.
Fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity in power stations.
This heats up water in a boiler. Water gains energy and changes state from liquid water to water vapour.
Water vapour turns a turbine.
The turbine turns a generator that generates electricity.
Electricity is then carried over the national grid to homes, schools and businesses.

Burning fossil fuels produce carbon dioxide.
Fuel + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water.
Fossil fuels contain carbon. The carbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change.
Sulfur inside coal also reacts with oxygen to form sulfur dioxide.
Sulfur dioxide is the cause of acid rain.