(Tillery, Enger, & Ross, 2008)
2) Define what we mean by fossil fuels and explain why they are an attractive source of energy Fossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes of tiny organism that have formed over millions of years. It was estimated by the Energy Information Administration that in 2007 primary sources of energy consisted of petroleum 36.0%, coal 27.4%, and natural gas 23.0%, amounting to an
86.4% share for fossil fuels in primary energy consumption in the world. (“U.S. EIA International Energy
Statistics")
Fossil fuels are of great importance because they can be burned (oxidized to carbon dioxide and water), producing significant amounts of energy per unit weight. The use of coal as a fuel predates recorded history. Coal was used to run furnaces for the melting of metal ore. Semi-solid hydrocarbons from seeps were also burned in ancient times, but these materials were mostly used for waterproofing and embalming. [Bilkadi, Zayn (1994). "BULLS FROM THE SEA: Ancient Oil Industries". Aramco World.
Archived from the original on 2007-11-13.] Prior to the latter half of the 18th century, windmills and watermills provided the energy