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Fossil Fuels
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are widely used to generate energy. We must think about the advantages and disadvantages of such resource.
Which of the following options do you think are examples of fossil fuels? Pick all the options you think are correct.
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Which type of energy is stored in fossil fuels?
What do you think we mean when we talk about renewable resources?
Do you think fossil fuels renewable or non-renewable?
Fossil fuels include coal, oil and natural gas and are formed over millions of years. Because it takes so long for new depots of fossil fuels to form, we think of them as non-renewable. When we've burnt the coal, oil or gas, it's gone.
Which of the following do we use when we turn fossil fuel energy into electricity?
Which of the following options best describes how the energy in fossil fuels is converted to electricity?
Fossil fuels and power stations
We burn fossil fuels to heat up water. The steam that comes off that very hot water is used to turn a big turbine. When the turbine turns, it generates electricity.
Which of the following are advantages of using fossil fuels? Pick all the options that you think are correct.
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Which of the following are disadvantages of using fossil fuels to generate electricity? Pick all the options you think are correct.
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There are many advantages and disadvantages to using fossil fuels.
The advantages are that they are easy to use, reliable and cost effective, but the disadvantages are that they produce a lot of pollution, are dangerous to mine and will eventually run out because they are non-renewable. We will run out of oil, but we won't for example run out of wind.