Fossil fuels
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels (/ˈfɒsɪl fjuːlz/) are hydrocarbons, primarily coal, fuel oil or natural gas, formed from the remains of dead plants and animals. In common dialogue, the term fossil fuel also includes hydrocarbon-containing natural resources that are not derived from animal or plant sources. These are sometimes known instead as mineral fuels.
Etymology
The term fossil fuel is derived from the Latin word "fossilis" meaning "obtained by digging" and the Old French word "feuaile," meaning "fuel." The term was first used in the early 18th century as a way to describe fuels that are extracted from the earth, much like fossils.
Types of Fossil Fuels
There are three main types of fossil fuels: coal, natural gas, and oil.
- Coal is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that can be burned for fuel and used to generate electricity. It is composed primarily of carbon along with various other elements such as hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
- Natural Gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly includes varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium.
- Oil or petroleum is a naturally occurring, yellow-to-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth's surface. It is commonly refined into various types of fuels.
Environmental Impact
The burning of fossil fuels produces around 21.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, but it is estimated that natural processes can only absorb about half of that amount, so there is a net increase of 10.65 billion tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year. This increase in atmospheric concentration of CO2 is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fossil fuels
- Wikipedia's article - Fossil fuels
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