AP Environmental Science / Unit 6: Energy Resources and Consumption
6.5 Fossil Fuels
Notes
Fossil fuels formed from ancient organisms under heat and pressure.
- Burning releases $\mathrm{CO_2}$, $\mathrm{SO_2}$, $NO_x$ and particulates.
- Fracking extracts natural gas but can contaminate groundwater and use lots of water.
- Tar sands require lots of energy and water.
Practice
Burning coal releases $\mathrm{SO_2}$, which causes:
Sulfur dioxide forms sulfuric acid.
A concern with fracking:
Chemicals and methane can leak.
Electricity from fossil fuels: chemical energy → heat → steam → turbine →
The generator makes electricity.
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