Nature's Chemistry - Fossil Fuels Flashcards
Define a Fossil Fuel
A fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-containing material formed naturally in the Earth’s crust.
Name 6 examples of Fossil Fuels
- Coal
- Naural Gas
- Crude Oil
- Peat
- Propane
- Kerosene
How are fossil fuels formed?
Fossil Fuels are formed from the remains of aquatic plants and animals compacted by high pressure and temprature.
How can crude oil be separated into fractions?
It can be separated by using a type of distillation called fractional distillation.
Define Fractional Distillation
Fractional distillation involves boiling a mixture of liquids and the resulting vapors travel up a glass tube called a fractionating column and separate.
When is Fractional Distillation used?
It is used when separating mixtures of liquids whose boiling points are similar.
Why can crude oil be separated using Fractional Distillation?
It can be separated because it is a mixture of compounds with different boiling points.
How is Crude oil separated using the Fractional Distillation method?
The crude oil is heated until it produces vapour and then the vapour is cooled to separate the different components based on their boiling points
Name 3 of the useful substances that Crude Oil can produce
- Petrol
- Diesel
- Kerosene
These are all fuels that can be burned to release energy, meaning they are all hydrocarbons.
Why are fossil fuels non-renewable?
They are non-renewable because their supply is limited and they will eventually run out. They will not be able to be replaced within a human lifetime. (hence the term ‘non renewable’)
Around how long does it take for fossil fuels to form?
Millions of years
Explain why crude oil is NOT considered carbon neutral
It was formed millions of years ago so its formation does not absorb CO2 nowadays
What type of molecules are found in crude oil?
Alkane molecules
