Lab 3: fossil fuel formation

Key Q: How do fossil

fuels form?

Part A: Investigating Coal

A sample of peat (which represents the beginning stage of coal development) and 2 samples of coal have been provided for

you to examine.

Analyze the samples and answer Q 1A-C & 2A-E on pages 21-22 in your energy

resources book.

Coal• Coal is a combustible

sedimentary rock that formed from the compaction of plant material that has not been completely decayed.

• The best environment for this process to begin in is a swamp.

• As plant matter becomes buried & compresses, heat gradually changes it into coal.

Coal

Formation of Coal

Formation of Coal

Rank of CoalVariety BTUs of heat per lb of dry coal

Peat Varies

Lignite 7,000 BTUs

Bituminous 12,000-15,000 BTUs

Anthracite 15, 000 BTUs

Partially decomposed plant remains. Represents the initial stage of coal

development

Peat gets buried- compacts- water & gases are squeezed out-heat is added-coal is

formed

Peat

Lowest rank of coal. It is a peat that has been transformed into

a rock that rock is a brown-black coal. It is low density &

crumbles easily. Lignite sometimes contains

recognizable plant structures.

Lignite

Most abundant rank of coal. It accounts for

about 50% of the coal produced in the United States.

Bituminous coal is often referred to as

"soft coal"

Bituminous

Highest rank of coal. Generally has the highest heating value per ton. It is difficult

to ignite but burns long and slow.

Anthracite

Petroleum & Natural Gas

• Petroleum (oil): liquid fossil fuel made of hydrogen & carbon

• Natural gas: Gaseous fossil fuel made mainly of methane

Forms from marine plants & animals that die-sink-begin to decay-become buried. If temperature

conditions are right oil or natural gas will form, and can collect underground in areas called reservoirs.

Formation of petroleum and natural gas