Unit 13: Non-Renewable

What types of substances power electricity, transportation, and industry globally?

Coal, oil, and natural gas supply the energy needed for essential sectors like electricity, transportation, and industry.

Why are coal, oil, and natural gas so important to modern economies?

They fuel nearly all global economic activity by providing the energy required for industrial processes, infrastructure, and daily life.

What environmental condition allowed organic matter to turn into fossil fuels instead of decomposing?

Low oxygen levels in sediment layers prevented decomposition, preserving the organic matter over time.

What role did photosynthesis play in the formation of fossil fuels?

It allowed ancient plants and aquatic organisms to store carbon, which later became the carbon source for fossil fuels.

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What geological process contributed to the creation of coal, oil, and natural gas?

Sediment layers built up over millions of years, applying heat and pressure that converted organic remains into fuel.

Why aren’t fossil fuels considered a sustainable energy source?

Because they take millions of years to form, they can’t be replenished on a human timescale, making them nonrenewable.

Why are coal, oil, and natural gas not considered sustainable in the long term?

They are available in finite amounts and cannot regenerate quickly enough to meet ongoing demand.

What category includes fuel deposits that are currently profitable to access?

Recoverable reserves refer to known sources that can be extracted economically with existing technology.

What are deposits called that are known but not currently affordable to exploit?

They are known as marginal reserves, as extracting them isn’t cost-effective with today’s technology or market conditions.

What type of reserves are considered too costly to use under current conditions?

Subeconomic resources are classified this way because the cost of extraction exceeds the value of the fuel.

What term describes fuel resources that might exist but haven’t been located yet?

Undiscovered resources are hypothetical estimates of what may still be found in the future.

How does fuel extraction affect ecosystems?

Mining and drilling can destroy habitats, degrade soil, and pollute nearby water sources.

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What are the environmental effects of oil spills and fracking?

They can contaminate water supplies and harm aquatic life and surrounding ecosystems.

What harmful substances are released when fossil fuels are burned?

Combustion emits carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to pollution and health issues.

How do pollutants from fossil fuels affect human health and the environment?

They can cause respiratory problems, smog, acid rain, and intensify climate change through greenhouse gas emissions.

Which fossil fuel causes the least pollution when used for energy?

Natural gas generates fewer pollutants than coal and oil, making it the cleaner option of the three.

Which country has the world’s largest known coal reserves?

The United States holds the top position, with nearly a quarter of the global total.

What three countries together account for most of the world’s coal consumption?

China, India, and the U.S. are responsible for about 70% of usage worldwide.

Which country uses the most coal in the world today?

China leads global demand and has more than doubled its usage in the early 2000s.

How does China's coal use compare to that of India and the U.S. combined?

It exceeds both countries’ combined consumption by more than double.

Which country ranks second in global coal reserves?

Russia holds this spot with just over 15% of the known supply.

How is coal categorized in terms of energy and composition?

It’s sorted by levels of carbon, moisture content, and the amount of energy it produces.

What is the lowest grade of coal, and why is it inefficient?

Lignite ranks lowest due to high moisture and minimal energy potential.

What coal type is a step above lignite but still considered low quality?

Sub-bituminous offers slightly better energy content but remains below average in carbon.

Which type is the most widely used due to its energy content?

Bituminous is the go-to choice, thanks to its higher carbon and efficient burn rate.

Which coal type is the cleanest and richest in carbon?

Anthracite holds the top grade, offering maximum efficiency and minimal pollutants.

What mining method causes large-scale destruction of ecosystems in coal regions?

Mountaintop removal strips away landscapes and pollutes nearby water systems with debris.

How does coal burning contribute to acid rain?

By releasing sulfur compounds into the atmosphere, which mix with water vapor.

What are two major toxins released from burning coal, besides CO₂?

Sulfur and heavy metals contaminate both soil and water ecosystems.

How does coal compare to natural gas in terms of carbon emissions?

It produces about 45% more CO₂ per unit of electricity generated.

What is a major consequence of toxic metal release from coal combustion?

Long-term contamination of soil and water, affecting ecosystems and human health.

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How long could current U.S. coal reserves last, based on domestic use?

Estimates range between 100 and 250 years.

What is the global estimate for remaining coal supply at current usage levels?

Roughly 110 more years before depletion.

What is the biggest concern about continuing coal use in the future?

Severe environmental impacts, especially climate change from high CO₂ emissions.

What would happen if the U.S. burned all its coal reserves?

CO₂ levels could triple, significantly accelerating global warming.

Why is oil so essential for modern transportation?

It fuels cars, trucks, ships, and planes, powering global mobility and trade.

Besides fuel, what are two other major uses of oil?

Used in manufacturing plastics and industrial chemicals.

How does oil influence global politics?

Nations compete for control over resources, affecting international relations.

What environmental issue is caused by burning oil?

Releases CO₂ and toxic gases, contributing to pollution and climate change.

How do oil spills affect ecosystems?

They harm marine life, contaminate water, and destroy coastal habitats.

What makes oil rarer compared to other fossil fuels?

It’s harder to locate and extract, making it more limited and costly.

How is urban development linked to oil use?

Cities are built around roads and vehicles, increasing dependence on fuel.

What region holds the largest share of global oil reserves?

The Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia with 17.2% of reserves.

Which South American country has the largest oil reserves?

Venezuela, with about 17.5% of global oil reserves.

Where are Canada’s major oil reserves found?

In the tar sands, a type of unconventional oil deposit.

Which two countries consume the most oil globally?

The United States and China.

What is crude oil?

A natural mixture of hydrocarbons and contaminants extracted from underground.

How is crude oil transported?

By pipelines (e.g., Trans-Alaska Pipeline) or supertankers across oceans.

What is the purpose of fractional distillation in oil refining?

To separate crude oil into products like gasoline, diesel, and raw petrochemicals.

Name two main products from refined crude oil.

Gasoline (vehicles) and diesel (trucks, ships, power plants).

What percentage of global energy does oil supply?

About 26%.

What major disaster released over 4 million barrels of oil into the ocean?

The Deepwater Horizon spill.

Why is extracting oil from tar sands worse for the environment?

It uses more energy and emits up to 1/3 more CO₂ than conventional oil.

What Canadian province is known for tar sands extraction?

Alberta.

What gases are released by burning oil, and what are the effects?

CO₂, hydrocarbons, and NOₓ – lead to climate change, health problems, and acid rain.

Why does oil extraction in remote areas pose more risks?

It increases the chance of spills and complicates cleanup and containment.

What is the uncertainty surrounding future oil availability?

Due to fluctuating reserves, consumption rates, and the discovery of new reserves.

How have technological advances affected oil extraction?

Technologies like fracking have made it possible to access previously unreachable oil deposits, boosting production in places like the U.S.

How do rising oil prices impact oil extraction?

Higher prices make it more economically feasible to explore and extract oil from remote and costly locations.

How long will current oil reserves last at current consumption rates?

Around 49 years, assuming no new reserves are discovered and consumption remains constant.

What are unconventional oil sources?

Heavy oil sands (like Canada's tar sands) and oil shales (sedimentary rock containing hydrocarbons) are more energy-intensive to extract.

What is the environmental advantage of using natural gas?

Produces less air pollution compared to coal when burned.

How is natural gas traditionally extracted?

Traditionally extracted from reservoirs trapped under layers of rock.

What are some newer sources of natural gas?

• Coalbed methane: Methane found in coal beds.

• Shale gas: Natural gas trapped in shale rock formations.

• Tight gas: Gas found in impermeable rock formations.

How have new discoveries of natural gas affected global reserves?

New sources like shale gas have led to rising estimates of global natural gas reserves.

Which countries have the largest natural gas reserves?

• Russia: 19.8%

• Iran: 16.2%

• Qatar: 12.5%

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How much have U.S. natural gas reserves increased?

From 5.2 trillion cubic meters to 13.9 trillion cubic meters in the past decade, thanks to new extraction technologies and extensive exploration.

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How is natural gas traditionally extracted?

Traditionally extracted by drilling into pockets of gas and pumping it to the surface.

What is coalbed methane and how is it extracted?

Gas held in place by water in coal layers, requiring dewatering (removing water) to release the gas.

Where is shale gas found?

Found in spaces within layered rock sediments.

What is tight gas and how is it extracted?

Found in pockets or cracks in rock formations and is extracted using techniques similar to those for shale gas.

What is hydraulic fracturing (fracking)?

Involves injecting water, sand, and chemicals at high pressure to fracture rocks deep underground and release gas. Directional drilling allows for horizontal extension of wells.

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How has hydraulic fracturing impacted natural gas production?

Led to a rapid increase in natural gas production, particularly in the United States.

What are some environmental concerns related to drilling?

• Surface disturbance affecting wildlife habitats.

• Air pollution from heavy machinery used in drilling.

What are the concerns related to fracking and water?

Large volumes of water are used in fracking, which can become contaminated with chemicals and pose risks to surface water, groundwater, and drinking supplies.

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How do methane leaks from drilling and fracking affect the environment?

Contribute to climate change because methane is a potent greenhouse gas.

How long could unconventional natural gas reserves last in the U.S.?

Could last 70-100 years at current consumption rates.

What are methane hydrates and their potential for natural gas supply?

Large potential supplies of natural gas trapped in ice or ocean floor sediments along continental margins

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What is methane’s potential for natural gas supply?

Possibly containing up to 50 times the amount of today's known reserves.

What challenges exist in extracting methane hydrates?

There is no known method

When was nuclear power developed, and what slowed its growth?

In the mid-1900s, but its growth slowed in the 1970s and 1980s due to incidents like Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

Why has interest in nuclear power resurged, and what recent event impacted it?

Due to its potential for low carbon emissions

What recent event impacted interest in nuclear power?

The Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011.

What is an environmental benefit of nuclear power?

Produces no carbon emissions during energy production, making it a potential solution for reducing greenhouse gases.

What fuel sources are used in nuclear fission?

Uses Uranium or Plutonium as fuel.

Describe the fission process in nuclear energy.

Atoms are split in a chain reaction through neutron bombardment. Each split nucleus releases additional neutrons, continuing the reaction and creating a sustained chain reaction.

How is energy released in nuclear fission controlled in a power plant?

Energy from the fission process is controlled to produce heat, which drives turbines in a nuclear power plant.

What are radioactive elements, and what happens when they decay?

Aare unstable and decay over time, releasing energy in the form of radiation.

How does radioactivity affect atoms?

Radioactive decay can break chemical bonds and strip electrons from atoms.

What health impacts can radioactivity have on humans?

Can cause tissue damage, potentially leading to cancer and other health issues.

Who contributed to the discovery of radioactivity, and what did they discover?

Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the spontaneous nuclear disintegration of isotopes with unstable nuclei.

What are parent and daughter isotopes?

A parent isotope decays into a daughter isotope during radioactive decay.

What is the composition of alpha radiation?

Two neutrons and two protons (α-particle).

When is alpha radiation dangerous?

Are only dangerous when ingested or inhaled because they are easily stopped by external barriers, such as skin or clothing.

Provide an example of alpha decay.

In alpha decay, Samarium-147 (47Sm) decays into Neodymium-143 (143Nd).

What happens during alpha decay?

The parent isotope (e.g., 47Sm) loses an alpha particle, resulting in a daughter isotope (e.g., 143Nd).

What is beta radiation?

Involves the emission of electrons (β-particles) from the nucleus of an atom.

Describe the process of beta decay.

In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus transforms into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle). For example, Rubidium-86 (86Rb) decays into Strontium-87 (87Sr).

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What is electron capture in radioactivity?

An electron from the inner shell of an atom combines with a proton in the nucleus to form a neutron. For example, Potassium-40 (40K) captures an electron and decays into Argon-40 (40Ar).

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Can beta particles penetrate the skin?

Yes, beta particles (electrons) can penetrate the skin but are usually stopped by materials like plastic or glass.