8.3 - Fossil Fuels & Nuclear Energy

• What is a fossil fuel?

  A hydrocarbon material from dead organisms
• How are fossil fuels formed?

  From remains of dead plants and animals
• What are the three main types of fossil fuels?

  Coal, crude oil, and natural gas
• What is one use of fossil fuels?

  To provide heat for cooking
• How can fossil fuels be used to power vehicles?

  By fueling internal combustion engines
• What is another way fossil fuels are utilized?

  To generate electricity
• What are the pros and cons of fossil fuels?

  Pros:

  • Relatively cheap
  • Usable in any conditions
  • Infrastructure designed for fossil fuels

  
  

  Cons:

  • Limited resource
  • Produces carbon dioxide
  • May produce toxic gases
• What is a major advantage of fossil fuels?

  They are relatively cheap
• Why can fossil fuels be used in any conditions?

  They don't require wind or sunshine
• What is a disadvantage of fossil fuels regarding their availability?

  They are a limited resource
• What greenhouse gas is produced when fossil fuels are burned?

  Carbon dioxide
• What toxic gases can be produced from burning fossil fuels?

  Sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide
• What is nuclear energy obtained from?

  Nuclear reactions like fission
• How is nuclear energy used?

  To generate electricity
• What is a major advantage of nuclear energy regarding pollutants?

  It does not produce pollutants like sulfur dioxide
• Why can nuclear energy be used in any conditions?

  It doesn't depend on environmental forces
• What is a disadvantage of nuclear fuels like uranium?

  They are a finite resource
• What is a significant issue with nuclear power stations?

  They produce radioactive waste
• What is a risk associated with nuclear power stations?

  Chance of a nuclear meltdown
• What is a disadvantage of nuclear energy regarding cost?

  It is quite expensive
• What are the pros and cons of nuclear energy?

  Pros:

  • No pollutants like sulfur dioxide
  • Usable in any conditions
  • Limited resource unlikely to run out soon

  
  

  Cons:

  • Finite resource (uranium)
  • Produces radioactive waste
  • Expensive
  • Small chance of nuclear meltdown
• Give 3 disadvantages of nuclear power. 

  • Nuclear fuel is a finite resource
  • It produces radioactive waste, which is harmful and lasts a long time
  • It is expensive 

  OR

  • There is a small risk of a nuclear meltdown/accident
  • There is a long start-up time for producing Nuclear energy
  •     nuclear power plants take many years to build
• Is the fuel for nuclear power a renewable or finite resource?

  Finite
• Is nuclear power relatively cheap or expensive compared to most other fuels?

  Expensive
• What is the name of the gas produced by the combustion of fossil fuels that contributes to global warming?

  Carbon dioxide
• Are fossil fuels a renewable or finite resource?

  Finite
• Are fossil fuels relatively cheap or expensive compared to most other fuels?

  Cheap
• What is the physical state of coal?

  Solid
• How long does it take for fossil fuels to form?

  Millions of years