Fossil Fuel Formation

Why does petroleum a byproduct of oil and a fossil fuel, form in sedimentary

rocks?

• Sedimentary rock is formed from heat and pressure deep in the

  center of the Earth.

• Sedimentary rock has empty spaces where fossils can settle and

  change form.

• Sedimentary rock is rich in iron that converts to petroleum over time.

• Sedimentary rock is formed near beaches that are necessary to

  form petroleum.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Mr. Shelton’s class has been studying the process of forming fossil fuels. He

places the following cards that list steps of fossil fuel formation on the lab tables in

random order.

Card 1: Heat and pressure where the organisms are buried

increase over time.

Card 2: Organisms are buried in sediment.

Card 3: Fossil fuels are formed.

Card 4: Ancient organisms die.

Which shows the correct order of the formation of fossil fuels?

• 4, 2, 1, 3

• 3, 4, 1, 2

• 1, 2, 3, 4

• 2, 4, 1, 3

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Many of America’s large oil fields are found underground in the Permian

Basin in West Texas. An area of the Permian Basin is shown.

How did these oil fields form?

• Dead plants and animals were buried for millions of years.

• Plants were eaten by consumers that left fossilized remains.

• Heat caused underground rocks to undergo chemical changes.

• Rocks at the surface of the Earth melted and then solidified.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

A student is building a model to demonstrate how fossil fuels form over millions of years. The

model includes a container filled with layers of sand and dead plant material, sealed with a lid. A weight is placed on top of the lid.

Which process is being demonstrated by the weight on top of the container?

• The pressure that helps change the plant material into coal

• The heat that causes the sand to melt and turn into oil

• The time it takes for the plant material to decompose into gas

• The movement of fossil fuels into underground reservoirs

A student is investigating the formation of fossil fuels. She simulates the accumulation of organic material, burial under sediment, and exposure to heat and pressure over time. At which stage in her experiment are fossil fuels most likely to form?

• Immediately after the organic material accumulates

• Right after burial under sediment

• After prolonged exposure to heat and pressure

• Before any processes begin

A student is investigating how fossil fuels form from the remains of ancient organisms. She

studies the following timeline:

300 million years ago: Lush plants and trees grew in swampy areas.

Over time: Layers of sediment build up over the plant material.

Under the Earth's surface: Various processes occurred to the buried plants.

Today: Coal deposits are found deep underground.

Based on the timeline, which statements describe what likely happened to the dead plants over

millions of years? Select TWO correct answers.

• The plants were quickly buried by a thin layer of soil.

• The weight of layers above created pressure on the plant remains.

• Heat from the Sun dried out the buried plants and turned them into coal.

• Pressure from the layers above caused the plants to change.

• Decomposition occurred quickly due to the presence of air in the rock layers.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A teacher provides a partially completed table modeling the stages of fossil fuel formation and

asks students to fill in the missing stages.

Which option correctly completes Stage 1 and Stage 4 of the table?

• Stage 1: Decomposition of organic matter

  Stage 4: Combustion of fossil fuels

• Stage 1: Accumulation of organic matter

  Stage 4: Formation of fossil fuels

• Stage 1: Consumption of organic matter

  Stage 4: Recycling of fossil fuels

• Stage 1: Photosynthesis in plants

  Stage 4: Storage of fossil fuels

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

A student is researching environments where fossil fuels are most likely to form.

Based on the processes that lead to the formation of fossil fuels, in which two environments are fossil fuels MOST LIKELY to form?

• Deserts and Mountains

• Swamps and Ocean Floor

• Mountains and Ocean Floor

• Deserts and Swamps

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

A student builds a model by filling a clear container with alternating layers of organic matter and sediment.

The student wants to modify the model to simulate the natural processes that lead to the formation

of fossil fuels.

Which modifications should the student make to the model to more accurately represent fossil fuel

formation? Select TWO correct answers.

• Submerge the container in water to represent oceanic conditions.

• Place a heavy weight on the top layer of organic matter and sediment to simulate pressure.

• Illuminate the container with bright light to represent sunlight.

• Heat the container gently to simulate geothermal heat.

• Shake the container vigorously to represent tectonic activity.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

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A student is creating a model that demonstrates how the formation of sedimentary rocks

contributes to the formation of fossil fuels. What phase in the formation of sedimentary rocks is most critical for trapping the organic matter that can eventually become fossil fuels?

• Weathering of rock into small sediment particles

• Deposition of layers of sediment on top of organic matter

• Compaction of sediment layers by the weight of overlying rock

• Cementation of sediment grains to form solid sedimentary rock