Course: Environmental Education

Submitted to:
Dr. Tayyaba Akram
Submitted by:
Sidra Majeed
Student no:
2018-2339 (Morning)

Topic: Natural resources quiz 3

Department of Science Education (IER)

University of The Punjab, LAHORE

 Fossil fuels
Question no 1: What create or cause fossil fuels?
Fossil fuels are made from decomposing plants and animals. fossil fuel is a fuel formed by
natural processes, such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms under highr
temperature and pressure after millions of years ago , containing organic molecules originating
in ancient photosynthesis that release energy in combustion. Such organisms and their resulting
fossil fuels typically have an age of millions of years, and sometimes more than 650 million
years. Fossil fuels contain high percentages of carbon and include petroleum, coal, and natural

Question no 2:Where can fossil fuels be found?

 These fuels are found in the Earth's crust and contain carbon and hydrogen, which can be
burned for energy. Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels.
 Coal is a material usually found in sedimentary rock deposits where rock and dead plant
and animal matter are piled up in layers.
 These fossil fuel deposits are typically found at depths beneath the Earth surface or ocean
floor of tens of meters to kilometers, and often occur in large agglomerations of gas,
liquid or solid matter.
 Fossil fuels are found all over the world but the vast coal deposits stretch from a latitude
of North America around the globe to the Urals of Russia, tracing the earlier belt of
extensive swamp forests, where trees fell decaying first to peat and there after being
compressed to form coal.
 Zagros and Mountains region of Iran are enriched with petroleum.
 The chief fossil fuel presently used is oil, with estimated total worldwide proven oil
reserves, as of January 1, 2008, estimated at 1.332 trillion barrels, an increase of 14
billion barrels from 2007.
 Fifty six percent of the world’s proved oil reserves are located in the Middle East.
Question no 3: Are fossil fuels a renewable resources?

Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal are examples of nonrenewable resources.
Humans constantly draw on the reserves of these substances while the formation of new supplies
takes eons.

Question no 4: How can fossils be used as source of energy?

 Fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, are currently the world's primary energy
source
 Oil is the world’s primary fuel source for transportation. Most oil is pumped out of
underground reservoirs, but it can also be found embedded in shale and tar sandsOnce
extracted, crude oil is processed in oil refineries to create fuel oil, gasoline, liquefied
petroleum gas, and other nonfuel products such as pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals,
and plastics.
 Coal is primarily used to generate electricity and is responsible for 30 percent of the
electric power supply in the United States in 2017
 Natural gas is most commonly used to produce heat or electricity for buildings or
industrial processes. Natural gas is used as a transportation fuel, typically for bus fleets.
 The major energy sources are fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gases. They
are an important source of energy for the modern technology.
 Fossil fuels are used in industry, thermal plants, agricultural operations, automobiles etc.

Question no 5: In what ways are fossil fuels a good source of energy?

Fossil fuels are good source of energy in following ways:

 Compressed Natural Gas is used for generating power.

 Coal is a fossil fuels .It is used to produce electricity.
 Natural gas is used as fuels in automobiles.
  Natural gas can be used at homes for cooking.
 Natural gas is used as a starting material in chemicals and fertilizers.
 Petroleum is used to power internal combustion engines in the form of petrol.
 Petroleum is used in roofing, road pavements, and as a water repellent.
 It is used in manufacturing detergents, plastics, fibres, polyethene, etc.

Question no 6: What are disadvantages to using fossil fuels as source of

energy?

Disadvantages to using fossil fuels as source are following:

 Fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide when burnt which is a major greenhouse gas and the
primary source of pollution. This has contributed to global warming
 They are a non-renewable resource, i.e., once used they cannot be replaced.
 Combustion of fossil fuels makes the environment more acidic. This has led to
unpredictable and negative changes in the environment.
 Harvesting of fossil fuels also causes fatal diseases among the people. For eg., the coal
miners often suffer from Black Lung Disease.
 The natural gas drillers are constantly exposed to chemicals and silica which is dangerous
for their health.
 The main disadvantage of using fossil fuels, of course, is the pollution that they cause.
 The problems that are caused as a direct result of burning fossil fuels are well
documented by scientists all throughout the world. It is a known fact that carbon dioxide,
gas released when fossil fuels are burnt, is one of the primary gas responsible for global
warming.

Question no 7: How do you use the resources of fossil fuels in your life, if at
all?

We are using many products made from fossil fuels in our life.
 Fossil fuels supplement the production of many products Diverse items such as;
household items, clothes, your car, airplanes, boats, pesticides, bags, purses, and even
food is preserved with a little help from fossil fuels.
 Petroleum, Kerosene, Methane, Propane, Butane, Coal and many more are examples of
fossil fuel products. These products are a source of different raw materials used directly
or as feedstock for the manufacturing of countless products.
 All plastic parts in a computer are made from fossil fuels. The computer’s insulation and
parts that protect a computer from overheating,
 Synthetic rubber is an artificial elastomer made from synthesized polymers of petroleum
by-products, it’s used in making doors, window profiles, water hoses, belts, matting,
flooring, and many other products.
 Paraffin wax is obtained from dewaxing petroleum. Paraffin wax is used in the
manufacture of candles, wax paper, shoe polishes, cosmetics, electrical insulators, and
several other products
 Fertilizers used in improving soil fertility are produced synthetically. They include
natural gas, a fossil fuel.
 Hydrocarbons found in petroleum and oils are an important component in soap making.
 Plastic packaging materials keep products especially foodstuff fresh and well protected.
They are made from hydrocarbons, cellulose, coal and natural gas.
 Ballpoint pens are made of plastic obtained from hydrocarbons. The ink is a mixture of
water-resistant synthetic pigments
 Synthetic Rubber made from polymers found in crude oil is used to make car tires.