Need for Energy

A. What do the laws of physics tell us about energy?

B. What is a fuel?

C. How is electrical energy generated?

Changing Energy Needs

D. How did our energy needs change as agricultural societies emerged?

E. What effect did the industrial revolution have on our energy needs

Fuels from Organisms

F. What is an organic fuel?

G. What are hydrocarbons? Give two examples.

H. What is meant by an octane rating?

I. Why are other chemicals added to organic fuels? What problems do they cause?

Fossil Fuels

What are fossil fuels?

Give three examples of fossil fuels.

Coal

A. Explain how coal forms.

B. What happens to the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen content over time?

C. Compare peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite coal.

 

Petroleum (crude oil)

J. What is meant by petroleum?

K. How does it form?

L. What are some of its uses?

M. Why is it considered non renewable?

Natural Gas

N. What is natural gas composed of?

O. What are some of its uses?

P. Why is it preferred as an alternative to electricity as a source of energy?

Other Organic Fuels

Q. What are some of the problems associated with the use of fossil fuels?

1. Availability

2. Pollution

Biomass Fuels

R. What is a biomass fuel?

S. Give examples.

T. What is their advantage over fossil fuels?

U. What determines the amount of energy available?

V. Describe how the following are used for fuel:

1. wood

2. garbage

3. methane

4. alcohol

W. What is bioconversion? Give an example

X. What is an alcohol?