3. COAL AND PETROLEUM
Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are critical fossil fuels formed from the remains of ancient organisms millions of years ago. Their extraction and use as energy sources raise concerns about their exhaustibility and environmental impact. Sustainable practices and reductions in fossil fuel dependence are necessary to mitigate global warming and ensure their availability for future generations.
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What we have learnt
- Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are fossil fuels.
- Fossil fuels were formed from the dead remains of living organisms millions of years ago.
- Fossil fuels are exhaustible resources.
- Coke, coal tar, and coal gas are the products of coal.
- Petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, kerosene, paraffin wax, lubricating oil are obtained by refining petroleum.
- Coal and petroleum resources are limited and should be used judiciously.
Key Concepts
- -- Coal
- A hard, black substance used as fuel, formed from the remains of ancient vegetation through a process known as carbonisation.
- -- Petroleum
- A natural resource obtained from decomposed sea organisms, refined to produce fuels such as petrol, diesel, and kerosene.
- -- Natural Gas
- A clean-burning fossil fuel used for heating and power generation, stored as compressed natural gas (CNG).
- -- Fossil Fuels
- Energy resources formed from the decomposed remains of ancient plants and animals, including coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
- -- Refining
- The process of separating various constituents from crude petroleum to produce usable fuels and materials.
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