Energy Sources: Fossil Fuels

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Questions and Answers

What is the major disadvantage of mining coal, apart from its environmental impact?

Major threat to health

What is an advantage of natural gas over coal and oil?

Produces lower levels of many air pollutants

What is a characteristic that defines renewable resources?

Can be replenished in a short period of time

What is one of the main uses of oil in industry?

To power machinery Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of geothermal energy?

Unlimited source of cheap energy Signup and view all the answers

Why is energy from the sun considered a renewable resource?

It is replenished in a short period of time Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a nonrenewable resource?

It cannot be re-made or re-grown at a scale comparable to its consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary material used to create energy in nuclear fission?

Uranium Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the mechanical and human errors at the Three Mile Island reactor in 1979?

A partial meltdown, evacuation of 50,000 people, and increased cancer rates due to released radiation. Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of nonrenewable energy resources?

Oil, natural gas, coal, and uranium Signup and view all the answers

Why is nuclear energy considered a nonrenewable resource?

Because once the uranium is used, it is gone and cannot be re-made or re-grown at a scale comparable to its consumption. Signup and view all the answers

What was the date of the Chernobyl reactor explosion and what was the consequence?

The date was April 26, 1986, and it flung radioactive debris into the atmosphere. Signup and view all the answers

Why are coal, petroleum, and natural gas considered nonrenewable?

They cannot be replenished in a short period of time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major advantage of coal in the United States?

It contributes to energy independence, with 300 years of reserves. Signup and view all the answers

What is a difference in energy production between oil/natural gas and wood?

Oil and natural gas can provide three times as much energy as an equal mass of wood. Signup and view all the answers

What was the location of the second nuclear disaster mentioned in the text?

Fukushima, Japan. Signup and view all the answers

What is estimated to be the cost of the Chernobyl incident?

Over $358 billion. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fossil Fuels Overview

Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, classified as nonrenewable resources due to their inability to replenish quickly relative to consumption.
Fossil fuels are primarily composed of hydrocarbons.

Coal

High net energy yield; can be burned directly for heat.
Disadvantages:
- Most polluted fuel, emitting particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide.
- Mining leads to significant environmental degradation.
- Major health risks associated with its combustion and mining practices.
Abundant resource with 300 years of U.S. reserves, contributing to national energy independence.

Natural Gas

A mixture primarily of methane, used for electricity generation, heating, industrial processes, vehicle fuel, and cooking.
Advantages:
- Produces large energy quantities with lower air pollutants than coal or oil.
- Easy transportation.
Disadvantage: Highly flammable nature poses safety hazards.

Oil/Petroleum

Crude oil deposits are extracted through drilling.
Utilized extensively in industry and transportation sectors.
Infrastructure for oil and gas is already established, facilitating energy distribution.
Risks of spills during extraction and transportation.

Renewable Resources

Renewable resources can replenish naturally within a short timeframe, including solar, geothermal, wind, biomass, and water.

Solar Energy

Energy harnessed from the sun, considered renewable due to its continuous nature.

Geothermal Energy

Uses the earth's heat as an unlimited and cost-effective source of energy.

Nuclear Energy

Generation through nuclear fission, utilizing uranium.
Nonrenewable as uranium is finite once consumed.

Chernobyl Disaster

Occurred on April 26, 1986, in Ukraine; a reactor explosion released radioactive debris.
Health impacts included an official report of 3,576 deaths, while Greenpeace estimated up to 32,000 deaths.
Approximately 400,000 evacuees from a contaminated area of about 160,000 square kilometers.
The incident incurred costs exceeding $358 billion.

Fukushima Disaster

March 2011; preceded by an earthquake and tsunami leading to loss of power for reactor cooling and fire outbreaks.

Three Mile Island Incident

March 29, 1979, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; a partial meltdown due to coolant loss caused by mechanical and human errors.
Evacuation of 50,000 people, with another 50,000 fleeing the area.
Unknown quantities of radioactive material released; cleanup and damages estimated at $1.2 billion, with increased cancer rates as a consequence.

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Description

Test your knowledge of fossil fuels, including their characteristics, uses, and environmental impacts. Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different energy sources.