Fossil Fuels

Front

Fossil Fuel Noun

---

[fos-uhl fyool]

Back

Fossil Fuel

---

A natural fuel like coal, oil, or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.

---

Example: This diagram shows how fossil fuels, like oil and gas, are trapped underground beneath layers of impervious rock and are extracted using a pump.

Front

Non-renewable Adjective

---

[non-ri-noo-uh-buhl]

Back

Non-renewable

---

Describing a natural resource that cannot be replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to match consumption.

---

Example: This image displays examples of non-renewable resources, including fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, which are used for energy but cannot be replenished.

Front

Hydrocarbon Noun

---

[hy-droh-kar-buhn]

Back

Hydrocarbon

---

A chemical compound made primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms, which forms the basis of most fossil fuels.

---

Example: This image shows a methane molecule (CH₄), the simplest hydrocarbon, which is made of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

Front

Photosynthesis Noun

---

[foh-toh-sin-thuh-sis]

Back

Photosynthesis

---

The process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy, the original source of energy in fossil fuels.

---

Example: This diagram shows how plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create their own food (glucose) and release oxygen, the basic process of photosynthesis.

Front

Anthracite Noun

---

[an-thruh-syt]

Back

Anthracite

---

The hardest type of coal with the highest carbon content, formed under extreme geological pressure and high temperature.

---

Example: This image shows a piece of anthracite, the hardest type of coal. Note its dark color and shiny, metallic-like surface, which are key characteristics.

Front

Overburden Noun

---

[oh-ver-bur-dn]

Back

Overburden

---

The rock and soil layer overlying a coal seam or mineral deposit that is removed during surface mining operations.

---

Example: This diagram shows that overburden is the layer of rock and soil that must be removed by machinery to access the valuable coal seam underneath.

Front

Turbine Noun

---

[tur-bin]

Back

Turbine

---

A machine with a rotor and blades that is turned by a flow of water, steam, or gas to generate electricity.

---

Example: This diagram shows how a turbine works: a fluid (like steam from heated water) pushes against a series of blades, causing them to spin.

Front

Petroleum Noun

---

[puh-troh-lee-uhm]

Back

Petroleum

---

A dark, liquid fossil fuel, also known as oil, formed from the remains of ancient marine organisms.

---

Example: Crude petroleum is heated and separated into different useful products, like petrol and diesel, based on their boiling points in a tall fractionating column.

Front

Crude Oil Noun

---

[krood oil]

Back

Crude Oil

---

Unrefined petroleum as it is extracted from the Earth's crust before being processed into various usable fuels.

---

Example: This diagram shows how crude oil is heated and separated into useful products like gasoline and diesel in a process called fractional distillation.

Front

Refining Noun

---

[ri-fahy-ning]

Back

Refining

---

The industrial process of purifying a substance, such as separating crude oil into different fuels and chemical components.

---

Example: This diagram shows crude oil being heated in a furnace and entering a tower, where it separates into useful fuels like gasoline at different temperatures.