Fossil Fuels - AP Environmental Science
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Which fossil fuel forms from plant material?
Which fossil fuel forms from plant material?
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Coal. Coal originates from compressed ancient plant matter in swamps.
Coal. Coal originates from compressed ancient plant matter in swamps.
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What is the term for the solid waste from coal combustion?
What is the term for the solid waste from coal combustion?
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Fly ash. Fine particles of ash produced when coal burns in power plants.
Fly ash. Fine particles of ash produced when coal burns in power plants.
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What environmental impact is associated with oil spills?
What environmental impact is associated with oil spills?
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Water pollution and harm to marine life. Oil coats marine organisms and disrupts ecosystems.
Water pollution and harm to marine life. Oil coats marine organisms and disrupts ecosystems.
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What is the primary use of coal?
What is the primary use of coal?
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Coal is primarily used for electricity generation. Coal burns in power plants to produce electrical energy.
Coal is primarily used for electricity generation. Coal burns in power plants to produce electrical energy.
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Which fossil fuel is considered the cleanest burning?
Which fossil fuel is considered the cleanest burning?
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Natural gas. Produces fewer pollutants and CO₂ per unit energy than coal or oil.
Natural gas. Produces fewer pollutants and CO₂ per unit energy than coal or oil.
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What is the term for the solid waste from coal combustion?
What is the term for the solid waste from coal combustion?
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Fly ash. Fine particles of ash produced when coal burns in power plants.
Fly ash. Fine particles of ash produced when coal burns in power plants.
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Which fossil fuel is used in fertilizer production?
Which fossil fuel is used in fertilizer production?
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Natural gas. Methane provides hydrogen for ammonia-based fertilizer synthesis.
Natural gas. Methane provides hydrogen for ammonia-based fertilizer synthesis.
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What is the main environmental concern with burning fossil fuels?
What is the main environmental concern with burning fossil fuels?
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Release of greenhouse gases causing climate change. CO₂ and other emissions trap heat in the atmosphere.
Release of greenhouse gases causing climate change. CO₂ and other emissions trap heat in the atmosphere.
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What is hydraulic fracturing commonly known as?
What is hydraulic fracturing commonly known as?
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Fracking. High-pressure water fractures rock to release trapped gas.
Fracking. High-pressure water fractures rock to release trapped gas.
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What is an oil refinery?
What is an oil refinery?
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A facility where crude oil is processed and refined. Industrial plant that separates crude oil into usable products.
A facility where crude oil is processed and refined. Industrial plant that separates crude oil into usable products.
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State the formula for calculating energy efficiency.
State the formula for calculating energy efficiency.
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$\text{Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Useful Energy Output}}{\text{Total Energy Input}} \times 100$. Measures how much input energy becomes useful output energy.
$\text{Efficiency} = \frac{\text{Useful Energy Output}}{\text{Total Energy Input}} \times 100$. Measures how much input energy becomes useful output energy.
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What does the term 'peak oil' refer to?
What does the term 'peak oil' refer to?
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The point of maximum oil production rate. The theoretical point when oil production begins declining permanently.
The point of maximum oil production rate. The theoretical point when oil production begins declining permanently.
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What is the main disadvantage of fossil fuels?
What is the main disadvantage of fossil fuels?
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Non-renewable and environmentally damaging. Finite supply and significant environmental pollution when used.
Non-renewable and environmentally damaging. Finite supply and significant environmental pollution when used.
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Which fossil fuel is often associated with acid rain?
Which fossil fuel is often associated with acid rain?
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Coal, due to sulfur emissions. Sulfur dioxide from coal forms acidic precipitation.
Coal, due to sulfur emissions. Sulfur dioxide from coal forms acidic precipitation.
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What is the main use of natural gas in households?
What is the main use of natural gas in households?
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Heating and cooking. Natural gas burns cleanly for thermal energy applications.
Heating and cooking. Natural gas burns cleanly for thermal energy applications.
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List three main types of fossil fuels.
List three main types of fossil fuels.
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Coal, oil, and natural gas. These are the most commonly extracted and used fossil fuels.
Coal, oil, and natural gas. These are the most commonly extracted and used fossil fuels.
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Identify the primary fossil fuel used in electricity generation globally.
Identify the primary fossil fuel used in electricity generation globally.
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Coal. Coal-fired power plants dominate global electricity production.
Coal. Coal-fired power plants dominate global electricity production.
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What is the main component of gasoline?
What is the main component of gasoline?
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Octane (C₈H₁₈). An eight-carbon hydrocarbon that resists engine knocking.
Octane (C₈H₁₈). An eight-carbon hydrocarbon that resists engine knocking.
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What equipment is used to extract oil from the ground?
What equipment is used to extract oil from the ground?
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Oil rig. Drilling platform used for petroleum extraction from wells.
Oil rig. Drilling platform used for petroleum extraction from wells.
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What process converts organic material into fossil fuels over time?
What process converts organic material into fossil fuels over time?
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The process is called carbonization. Heat and pressure gradually transform organic matter into carbon-rich fuels.
The process is called carbonization. Heat and pressure gradually transform organic matter into carbon-rich fuels.
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What is the primary environmental impact of natural gas leakage?
What is the primary environmental impact of natural gas leakage?
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Methane emissions contribute to greenhouse effect. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas when released unburned.
Methane emissions contribute to greenhouse effect. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas when released unburned.
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What is the primary method of transporting natural gas?
What is the primary method of transporting natural gas?
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Pipelines. Long-distance transport system for gaseous fuel distribution.
Pipelines. Long-distance transport system for gaseous fuel distribution.
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What is the main source of energy in fossil fuels?
What is the main source of energy in fossil fuels?
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Stored chemical energy from ancient organic matter. Solar energy captured by plants millions of years ago.
Stored chemical energy from ancient organic matter. Solar energy captured by plants millions of years ago.
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What is the term for coal deposits that can be mined economically?
What is the term for coal deposits that can be mined economically?
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Coal reserves. Coal that is accessible and profitable to extract.
Coal reserves. Coal that is accessible and profitable to extract.
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Identify a byproduct of natural gas extraction.
Identify a byproduct of natural gas extraction.
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Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). H₂S is a toxic gas produced during natural gas processing.
Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). H₂S is a toxic gas produced during natural gas processing.
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Which fossil fuel is primarily used for transportation?
Which fossil fuel is primarily used for transportation?
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Oil is primarily used for transportation fuels. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for vehicles.
Oil is primarily used for transportation fuels. Refined into gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel for vehicles.
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What is the process of refining crude oil called?
What is the process of refining crude oil called?
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Distillation. Separates crude oil into different petroleum products by boiling point.
Distillation. Separates crude oil into different petroleum products by boiling point.
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What is the main advantage of using natural gas over coal?
What is the main advantage of using natural gas over coal?
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Lower carbon emissions. Natural gas burns cleaner with less carbon dioxide per unit energy.
Lower carbon emissions. Natural gas burns cleaner with less carbon dioxide per unit energy.
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What is a common product derived from crude oil?
What is a common product derived from crude oil?
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Petroleum products like gasoline. Crude oil refining produces many useful hydrocarbon compounds.
Petroleum products like gasoline. Crude oil refining produces many useful hydrocarbon compounds.
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Which fossil fuel is typically formed under the sea?
Which fossil fuel is typically formed under the sea?
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Oil. Marine sediments and pressure create ideal oil formation conditions.
Oil. Marine sediments and pressure create ideal oil formation conditions.
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