Non-Renewable Energy & Fossil Fuels – Vocabulary Review

These vocabulary flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to non-renewable energy sources, with an emphasis on fossil fuels, their extraction, uses, efficiencies, and environmental impacts.

Primary energy

Energy contained in natural resources before conversion (e.g., coal, oil, sunlight).

Secondary energy

Energy produced by converting primary energy into another form, such as electricity.

Nonrenewable resource

Energy source available in finite quantities and depleted by use, like fossil fuels and uranium.

Renewable resource

Energy source that is replenished naturally or not depleted by use (e.g., solar, wind, hydro).

Energy efficiency

Ratio of useful energy output to total energy input, usually expressed as a percentage.

End-use efficiency

Overall efficiency from primary energy to its final application (e.g., 1.2 % for coal-to-lightbulb).

End use

The final application of energy, such as running a car or powering a computer.

Energy consumption

Amount of energy used by individuals or societies; has risen sharply over human history.

Energy mix

Proportions of different primary energy sources used within a sector or region.

Fossil fuels

Combustible substances formed from ancient organic remains, chiefly coal, oil, and natural gas.

Hydrocarbon

Molecule composed mainly of hydrogen and carbon; primary constituent of fossil fuels.

Coal

Solid fossil fuel composed mostly of carbon; burned for electricity and industrial heat.

Anthracite

Highest-grade coal with greatest energy content and lowest moisture; scarce but efficient.

Bituminous coal

Mid-grade coal with moderate energy content; widely used for electricity generation.

Lignite

Low-grade, high-moisture coal with lowest energy content; abundant but least efficient.

Peat

Partially decayed plant matter precursor to coal; low carbon content and energy value.

Surface mining (strip mining)

Method of extracting coal by removing overlying soil and rock; accounts for ~60 % of coal mining.

Subsurface mining

Underground extraction of coal through shafts and tunnels; ~40 % of current coal mining.

Coal-fired power plant

Facility that burns coal to produce high-pressure steam, driving turbines to generate electricity.

Acid mine drainage

Water pollution caused by sulfur compounds leaching from exposed coal mine tailings.

Black lung disease

Respiratory illness (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis) affecting miners due to coal dust inhalation.

Petroleum (crude oil)

Naturally occurring liquid mixture of hydrocarbons refined into products like gasoline and diesel.

Oil reservoir

Porous rock formation containing crude oil trapped beneath impermeable cap rock.

Primary extraction

Initial pumping of crude oil from wells, recovering about 25 % of the resource.

Secondary extraction

Injection of water or other fluids to push additional oil to the well, raising recovery to ~60 %.

Tertiary extraction

Enhanced recovery using steam, CO₂, or chemicals to extract remaining oil after secondary methods.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking)

Technique of injecting fluid and sand into shale to release trapped oil or natural gas.

Oil spill

Accidental release of petroleum into the environment during drilling, transport, or storage.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Toxic compounds released as crude oil decomposes; monitored to assess spill contamination.

Natural gas

Mixture of gases—primarily methane—with smaller amounts of ethane, propane, and butane.

Biogenic gas

Natural gas produced by microbial decomposition of organic matter at shallow depths.

Thermogenic gas

Natural gas formed from deep burial and heating of organic material, separating hydrocarbons.

Subsidence

Ground sinking that can occur when fluid extraction lowers reservoir pressure.

Greenhouse gas emissions

Release of gases like CO₂ and CH₄ that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Scrubber

Pollution-control device that removes SOx and NOx from coal-plant exhaust before release.