Fossil fuels are fuels formed from the remains of ancient organisms through decomposition over millions of years. The three main types are coal, oil, and natural gas. Coal forms from decomposed plant matter and is the most abundant fossil fuel in the United States. Oil forms from the remains of marine organisms and diatoms, and is a valuable resource extracted in many countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia. Natural gas forms from methane and is colorless, odorless, and usually found near oil deposits underground.

1. By; Hira Khan Per.5 Fossil Fuels

2. Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural resources such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. Fossil fuels are of great importance because they can be burned, producing significant amounts of energy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_fuel) What are fossil fuels?

3. Coal Oil Natural Gas (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=coal_home-basics) Different Types of Fossil Fuels

4. Hard Black Rock-like Most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States A nonrenewable energy source because it takes millions of years to create. Energy in coal comes from the energy stored by plants that lived hundreds of millions of years ago (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=coal_home-basics) Coal Facts

5. Formed more than 300 million years ago. Scientists say that tiny diatoms (diatoms- sea creatures the size of a pin head and can convert sunlight directly into stored energy) are the source of oil. Oil has been used for more than 5,000-6,000 years. Is produced in;Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States, Iran, and China (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=oil_home-basics) (http://web.me.com/davgen1/ILS_12-22/Fossil_Fuels.html) Oil Facts

6. Is lighter than air First discoveries of natural gas seeps were made in Iran. Mostly made up of a gas called methane.(methane-simple chemical compound that is made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms.) Usually found near petroleum underground. Pumped from below ground and travels in pipelines to storage areas. No odor Can’t see it (http://web.me.com/davgen1/ILS_12-22/Fossil_Fuels.html) Natural Gas Facts

7. Formedwhen peat is altered physically and chemically. Formedfrom the remains of vegetation that grew as long as 400 million years ago. Process is called "coalification." (http://www.ket.org/trips/coal/agsmm/agsmmhow.html) How Coal is Formed

8. Main types of coal - anthracite, bituminous and lignite. Anthracite-hardest, more carbon, higher energy content Bituminous-In between Lignite-softest, low in carbon, high in oxygen content and hydrogen Peat-precursor (a substance from which another substance is formed) to coal (http://web.me.com/davgen1/ILS_12-22/Fossil_Fuels.html) Different Stages of Coal Formation

9. Almost 93% of the coal used in the United States is used for generating electricity. Separated ingredients of coal (such as methanol and ethylene) are used in making; Tar, Fertilizers, Plastic, Medicins, Coke, Steel (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=coal_home-basics) How Coal is used as a Fossil Fuel

10. Oil was formed from the remains of animals and plants (diatoms) that lived millions of years ago in a marine (water) environment before the dinosaurs. (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=oil_home-basics) (http://web.me.com/davgen1/ILS_12-22/Fossil_Fuels.html) How Oil is Formed

11. Used for petroleum products and motor gasoline A few products made from petroleum: Ink, crayons, Dishwashing liduids, Deodornt,Eyeglasses, CDs and DVDs, Tires, Ammonia (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=oil_home-basics) How Oil is Used as a Fossil Fuel

12. Methane, a gas or compound that has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=natural_gas_home-basics) How Natural Gas is Formed

13. Produce; Steel, Glass, Paper, Clothing, Brick, Electricity Some products that use natural gas as a raw material are: Paints, Fertilizer, Plastics, Antifreeze, Dyes, Photographic film, Medicines, and Explosives. (http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=natural_gas_home-basics) How Natural Gases are Used as Fossil Fuels

14. A refineryis a factory that takes a raw material (crude oil) and transforms it into petrol and hundreds of other useful products. It is important because many products like gasoline wouldn’t be made without refineries. (http://www.moorlandschool.co.uk/earth/oilrefinery.htm) Refineries and Why They are Important to the Production of Fossil Fuels

15. unprecedented underwater leak spreads oil across the northern Gulf of Mexico between the mouth of the Mississippi River and Florida. Coast Guard says remote underwater cameras detect the well is leaking 1,000 barrels of crude oil per day . The Interior Department orders safety inspections of all 30 deepwater drilling rigs and 47 deepwater production platforms. The Coast Guard says the leak will affect the Gulf shore. U.S. officials close areas affected by the spill to fishing for an initial period of 10 day . Exxon Valdez Oil

16. Deep Water Horizon oil rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico There is some progress cleaning it up Last update showed that it was getting closer to the coast of Louisiana. reached more than the half the size of the Valdez disaster. more than 1 million gallons of water has been cleaned from oil and 367881 feet of oil booms have been deployed. BP has been trying all sorts of engineering efforts to stop the leak, which includes the four story high containment dome which was to be placed over the leakage. Deep Water Horizon

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