Overview
This lecture introduces natural energy resources, focusing on coal, petroleum, and natural gas, their formation, uses, products, and the importance of their conservation.
Natural Resources: Types and Classification
- Natural resources are materials obtained directly from nature, divided into natural (e.g., air, water) and man-made resources.
- Natural resources are further classified into inexhaustible (cannot run out, e.g., sunlight, air) and exhaustible (limited supply, e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas).
- Exhaustible resources like coal, petroleum, and natural gas are called fossil fuels as they originate from dead remains of living organisms.
Coal and Its Byproducts
- Coal is a hard, black substance used for cooking, running trains, power plants, and industries.
- Burning coal produces carbon dioxide gas.
- Byproducts of coal include:
- Coke: hard, porous, black; used in steel manufacturing and metal extraction.
- Coal tar: thick, smelly liquid; used in dyes, perfumes, paints, explosives, and plastics.
- Coal gas: used as fuel in industries near coal plants.
Petroleum: Refining and Uses
- Petroleum is a dark, oily liquid found above water layers underground.
- Petrol and diesel, used in vehicles, are obtained from petroleum.
- Refining separates petroleum into different components (constituents), each with specific uses:
- Petroleum gas, petrol, diesel, kerosene, paraffin wax, lubricating oil, etc.
Natural Gas and Its Importance
- Natural gas is often stored and used as compressed natural gas (CNG).
- CNG is used for power generation, as vehicle fuel, for cooking, and as a base material for chemicals and fertilizers.
- CNG is less polluting than other fossil fuels.
Conservation of Fossil Fuels
- Fossil fuels are exhaustible and need to be used carefully to avoid depletion.
- Conservation tips include:
- Switch off engines at traffic lights or in traffic jams.
- Drive at constant, moderate speeds.
- Maintain vehicles regularly and keep correct tire pressure.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Natural Resources — materials obtained directly from nature.
- Inexhaustible Resources — resources present in unlimited quantity (e.g., sunlight, air).
- Exhaustible Resources — resources available in limited quantity (e.g., coal, petroleum).
- Fossil Fuels — energy resources formed from dead organisms (e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas).
- Refining — process of separating petroleum into useful components.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review differences between exhaustible and inexhaustible resources.
- List uses of coal byproducts, petroleum constituents, and natural gas.
- Follow conservation tips for fossil fuels in daily life.