Definition of Fossil Fuel
A fossil fuel is a hydrocarbon-rich material, such as coal, oil, or natural gas, formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals over millions of years. These organic materials are subjected to intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's crust, transforming them into energy-dense substances.
Types and Formation
The three main types are coal (formed from terrestrial plant matter), petroleum (crude oil, formed from marine microorganisms), and natural gas (often found alongside petroleum). Their formation is a slow geological process, requiring specific conditions of burial, temperature, and pressure, which means they are finite resources.
Practical Examples of Use
Fossil fuels are widely used for energy generation. Coal is burned in power plants to produce electricity, petroleum is refined into gasoline and diesel for transportation and plastics, and natural gas is used for heating homes and in industrial processes.
Significance and Environmental Impact
While providing a significant portion of global energy, fossil fuels are non-renewable and their combustion releases greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere. This contributes to climate change and air pollution, driving the search for alternative, renewable energy sources.