Petroleum and Energy Resources

Flashcards covering key concepts about petroleum, energy resources, and their historical and modern significance based on the lecture notes.

What was a major impact of high octane fuels during WWII?

They had a significant impact on air warfare.

What primary resource did generals need for war efforts during WWII?

Petroleum.

Where did Hitler attempt to secure petroleum for his war efforts during WWII?

Russia and Northern Africa.

Where is the only significant petroleum deposit in Europe mentioned in the notes?

Off the coast of Norway.

What is Europe's general situation regarding petroleum and natural gas deposits?

They don't have very much.

How did Germany produce liquid fuel during WWII when petroleum access was limited?

By converting solid coal into liquid through chemistry.

What strategy did the Allies use to disrupt Germany's liquid fuel production during WWII?

They bombed all the coal processing facilities.

What primary source of electricity does France rely on today?

Nuclear energy.

Why did Germany stop using nuclear energy and what did they rely on instead?

They voted against nuclear energy after Fukushima and relied on coal.

Why is access to petroleum considered very strategic?

It's a critical resource for various activities and war efforts.

What is a key characteristic that defines a mineral or energy resource beyond just being naturally occurring?

It must be economically extractable, meaning the cost of extraction is feasible against market price.

Besides being naturally occurring, what forms can mineral and energy resources take?

Solid, liquid, or gas.

Why is common soil not considered an economic source for aluminum, despite containing it?

The cost of extracting and processing it into aluminum metal is too high compared to the market price.

What two significant energy resources does the United States have in relatively large amounts?

Petroleum and coal.

How do governments often influence the economics of mineral and energy resources?

Through subsidies, tax rates, and energy policies influenced by politics.

What is the primary geological difference in the origin of petroleum compared to coal?

Petroleum comes from plankton in the ocean, while coal comes from land-based plants.

What are the physical states of petroleum, coal, and natural gas?

Petroleum is liquid, coal is solid, and natural gas is a gas.

What categories of energy sources are considered non-renewable?

Fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

What are examples of renewable energy sources mentioned?

Hydroelectric and wind energy.