Lecture Notes: Fossil Fuels as Energy Resources

Introduction

• Discussion on fossil fuels and their role in energy production.
• Focus on the three main fossil fuels: coal, oil, and gas.

Importance of Energy

• Energy is essential for various applications:
  • Transport: Ships, airplanes
  • Electricity: Generation for homes and industries
  • Heating: Homes and offices

Main Fossil Fuels

• Coal
• Oil
• Gas
• Contribution: Account for around 80% of the world's total energy needs.

Advantages of Fossil Fuels

1. Reliability
   • Constant energy supply compared to other energy sources (e.g., renewables).
2. High Energy Output
   • Significant energy release, ideal for long-distance travel (e.g., airplanes using jet fuel).
3. Abundance and Cost-Effectiveness
   • Large reserves make them relatively cheap.
4. Versatility
   • Used in transport, electricity generation, heating.
   • Portability adds to their usefulness for powering vehicles.

Disadvantages of Fossil Fuels

1. Environmental Impact
   • Release of large amounts of carbon dioxide contributing to climate change.
2. Non-renewability
   • Fossil fuels are not replenished; they will eventually run out.
3. Pollutants
   • Burning fossil fuels releases harmful substances:
     • Diesel releases carbon particles and nitrogen oxides (harmful to health).
     • Coal can release sulfur dioxide causing acid rain (damages buildings and vegetation).

Future Discussion

• Upcoming content will cover renewable energy sources.
• Additional resources for practice and revision available in the workbook linked above.

Conclusion

• Understanding the main fossil fuels, their advantages, and disadvantages is crucial for assessing energy sources.
• Further videos will explore how energy use is evolving, particularly in the UK context.