Fuels

What is a fuel?

A fuel can be thought of as a concentrated source of energy. The energy is stored in

the fuel as c____________ energy. When the fuel is burnt, h__________ energy and
l________ energy is released.

CHALLENGE : Complete the worksheet called “Jenny’s holiday diary” to learn about
some everyday fuels.

We use different fuels for different jobs.

CHALLENGE: Place the fuels in the correct columns to show where they are
used

Candle Car Cooker Fire Central heating BBQ

system

Petrol, wood, coal, gas, oil, diesel, wax, charcoal

What makes a good fuel?

Put a ✓by the qualities you think make a good fuel:

Gives out a lot of heat Burn with a clean flame Give off toxic fumes

Burn with a smoky yellow flame Give off a lot of smoke Are easy to transport

Are easy to light Burn steadily Are very expensive

All fuels have their pros and cons!

The properties of a selection of fuels which could be used for heating a house were
compared. More ✓ were awarded to those considered better.

Fuel Storage and Energy Pollution Cost Ash or

convenience produced produced water
per gram
Natural gas ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓
Paraffin ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓
Wood ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓✓
Coke ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓
Coal ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓

1) Give 4 properties of natural gas which makes it a good fuel for heating a house.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2) Name the worst fuel for the house ____________. Give 3 reasons for your
choice;
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Extension work:

There is energy in food. We measure energy in joules. There are 1000 joules (J) in
1 kilojoule (kJ)

How many joules (J) are in:

2.3kJ _____ 6.8kJ _________ 0.6kJ ________

4.7kJ _____ 20.1kJ _________ 0.01kJ ________

How many kilojoules (kJ) are in:

2345J ________ 1678J__________ 200J _________

Which do you think contains the most joules – a sausage or a banana? ___________

What happens to you if you eat too many energy rich foods? ____________________