Fossil Fuel Energy: Uncovering the Power of Buried Organic Matter

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In summary, fossil fuel is former live organic matter that has been buried for hundreds of millions of years, resulting in the accumulation of massive amounts of gravitational and thermal energy. When we burn fossil fuel, we are converting this chemical energy into useful work. Fossil fuel has significantly more energy compared to living or recently dead organic matter due to the accumulation of this extra chemical energy over millions of years. The exact percentage of energy gained after being underground for millions of years depends on the correct answers to the first two questions.
  • #1
pivoxa15
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Fossil fuel is former live organic matter which has bee buried for hundreds of millions of years. They have lots of energy in them and we use it by burning them and converting some of those energy into useful work.

What energy is that?
Why does fossil fuel have so much more energy compared to living or recently dead organic matter?
What percentage of the energy of fossil fuel was already in them just before they died and what percentage did they gain after millions of years underground?
 
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  • #2
Looks like homework. Smells like homework. Must be homework.

Give the first two questions a try; the third is poorly stated, and you'll want a little help with the restatement --- once you've got the other two.
 
  • #3
Bystander said:
Looks like homework. Smells like homework. Must be homework.

Give the first two questions a try; the third is poorly stated, and you'll want a little help with the restatement --- once you've got the other two.


Actually it is not homework. It is something that came up during a discussion in the General physics forum under the topic of Hot Food... But I'll have a go at answering the first two questions.

1. All the energy we derive from fossil fuel by burning it was in the form of chemical energy.

2. Because it has been underground for hundreds of millions of years and static most of the time, it has accumulated massive amount of gravitational and thermal energy and has converted it into 'extra' chemical energy (on top of the chemical energy it had while it was alive through photosynthesis). It is this 'extra' chemical energy accumulated through millions of years that makes fossil fuel so energy rich.

3. The answer to this questions depends on the (correct) answers to 1 and 2. So I can't answer it. It may need to be restated as well.
 
  • #4
Sorry --- haven't been following that thread.

pivoxa15 said:
Actually it is not homework. It is something that came up during a discussion in the General physics forum under the topic of Hot Food... But I'll have a go at answering the first two questions.

1. All the energy we derive from fossil fuel by burning it was in the form of chemical energy.
Correct --- underline, bold-face, and emphasize in every possible way the word "All."
2. Because it has been underground for hundreds of millions of years and static most of the time, it has accumulated massive amount of gravitational and thermal energy and has converted it into 'extra' chemical energy

Creative. Absolutely, utterly, totally wrong, but creative. Give you a couple hints here, and let you try again:

1) how much nutritional value in a glass of water? (You've already covered that in the other thread, but think about it.)
2) Ever use dehydrated soup? What's the label on the package say about nutrition? How does it compare to that for a "serving" of the same canned soup? How much nutritional value do you add to dehydrated by rehydrating it?​

(on top of the chemical energy it had while it was alive through photosynthesis). It is this 'extra' chemical energy accumulated through millions of years that makes fossil fuel so energy rich.

3. The answer to this questions depends on the (correct) answers to 1 and 2. So I can't answer it. It may need to be restated as well.

Gotta wait on 3. until we finish 2.

'Nother point for you, just to correct some miscalculations in the other thread --- a dietician's calorie (or "great calorie") is 1000 times larger than a thermodynamic calorie --- the thermal energy from heating food is 1000 times less relative to nutritional energy than everyone has been calculating in the "hot food" thread.
 

What are fossil fuels?

Fossil fuels are natural resources that are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. They include coal, oil, and natural gas.

How are fossil fuels formed?

Fossil fuels are formed through a process called sedimentation. The remains of plants and animals are buried under layers of sediment and over time, heat and pressure from the earth's crust turns them into fossil fuels.

Why are fossil fuels important?

Fossil fuels are currently the main source of energy for many industries and households around the world. They are used to generate electricity, power vehicles, and heat homes. Fossil fuels also play a significant role in the production of many everyday products, such as plastic and synthetic materials.

What are the environmental impacts of using fossil fuels?

Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere which contribute to climate change. Fossil fuel extraction and transportation can also have negative impacts on the environment, such as air and water pollution, and destruction of natural habitats.

Are there alternatives to using fossil fuels?

Yes, there are alternative sources of energy, such as renewable energy from sources like wind, solar, and hydro power. These sources are more sustainable and do not produce harmful emissions like fossil fuels, making them a better choice for the environment.

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