Fossil Fuels and Renewable Energy

Front

What are fossil fuels?

Back

Fossil fuels are natural resources, including coal, petroleum, and natural gas. They are non-renewable energy sources.

Front

How were fossil fuels formed?

Back

a) Coal was formed from the remains of plants over hundreds of millions of years. b) Petroleum and natural gas were formed from the remains of plants and animals over hundreds of millions of years.

Front

Name three examples of fossil fuels mentioned in the sources.

Back

a) Coal b) Petroleum c) Natural gas

Front

What are fossil fuels used for?

Back

a) Generating electricity b) Producing gas, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG) c) Producing petrol

Front

Why is there an urgent need to develop new energy sources?

Back

Fossil fuels take a long time to form and may run out one day. Our demand for energy continues to rise.

Front

What are renewable energy sources?

Back

Renewable energy sources exist in nature and will never be used up. They do not produce air pollutants when used to generate electricity. They are clean alternatives to fossil fuels.

Front

Name two examples of renewable energy sources mentioned in the sources.

Back

a) Solar energy b) Wind energy

Front

What are the benefits of renewable energy sources?

Back

a) They exist in nature and will never be used up. b) They do not produce air pollutants when used to generate electricity. c) They are clean alternatives to fossil fuels.

Front

What is a limitation of solar panels mentioned in the sources?

Back

They have high setup costs. Solar panels have to operate for eight years before recovering costs (according to one source).

Front

What is a limitation of wind turbines mentioned in the sources?

Back

Their use is affected by the environment and weather conditions, such as lack of wind. Wind turbines in Taiwan were stopped for six months due to lack of wind (according to one source).