Using crude oil as a fuel

Question 1

how is crude oil used?

Answer 1

fuels (cars, boats, trains and planes), burned in central heating systems and in power station to generate electricty

Question 2

what does crude oil also provide?

Answer 2

the raw materials for making chemicals, such as plastics

Question 3

alternatives to using crude oil fractions

Answer 3

electricity generated by nuclear power or wind power, ethanol-powered cars, solar energy can be used to heat water

Question 4

why is crude oil often preferable?

Answer 4

1. often the cheapest thing to use
2. often the easiest (e.g cars are designed for petrol or diesel and it is readily available, filling stations everywhere with storage facilities and pumps designed for these crude oil fractions)
3. more reliable e.g solar and wind won’t work without the right weather conditions. nuclear is reliable but there are concerns about it’s safety and storage (radioactive waste)

Question 5

what type of fuel is crude oil?

Answer 5

non renewable

Question 6

effects of improved technology on crude oil

Answer 6

now possible to extract oil that was once too difficult or expensive to extract

Question 7

in the worst case scenario, when will oil be gone?

Answer 7

in about 25 years

Question 8

what things can we use alternatives to crude oil for, and what things is crude oil essential for?

Answer 8

transport, some chemicals and medicines

Question 9

examples of renewable energy sources

Answer 9

wind power, solar power and tidal power

Question 10

how does crude oil damage the environment?

Answer 10

1. oil spills during transportation-birds poisoned, sea otters and whales poisoned too
2. have to burn it to release energy, thought to be a major cause of global warming, acid rain and global dimming