Studied by 3 peopleFossil fuel
Fuel developed from biological material that became fossilized millions of years ago (coal, oil, natural gas)
Nonrenewable energy resource
Energy source with finite supply, primarily fossil fuels/nuclear fuels
Nuclear fuel
Fuel derived from radioactive materials that give off energy
Commercial energy source
Energy source that is bought and sold
Subsistence energy source
Gathered by individuals for immediate needs
Cogeneration
Use of a fuel to generate both electricity and heat (improves efficiency)
Primary uses of fossil fuels
Electricity generation, transportation, heating
Anthracite
Least bad kind of coal
Coal
Mined, burned in furnace, steam from burning turns turbine/generates electricity
Crude oil
Liquid petroleum removed from ground
Natural gas
Fossil fuel formed when gasses are exposed to intense heat/pressure over thousands of years, primarily methane
Petroleum
Oil; a fossil fuel found in underground deposits
Fracking
Fractures in rocks are drilled open to release natural gasses/oils that are converted into energy
Nuclear fuel
Fuel derived from radioactive materials that give off energy
Nuclear fission
Heavy atom absorbs neutron and continues splitting into smaller masses, which releases energy
Nuclear fusion
Two light nucleii merge to form a single heavy nucleus, releases massive amounts of energy
Radioactive waste
Material that can’t produce energy but still emits (harmful) radiation
Note
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