Science Vocab Words, Fossil Fuels

Petroleum

(OIL) Forms from the remains of small animals, algae, and other organisms that lived in oceans millions of years ago.

Natural Gas

Mixture of methane and other gases that form the same as oil, but since it is less dense, it rises above the oil and forms a pocket of gas within the rock.

Refinery

A factory in which crude oil is heated and separated into fuels and other products.

Fossil Fuel

A name given to energy rich substances formed from organic materials over time that provide the majority of energy to the world.

Petrochemical

Compounds that are made from oil that are used to make plastics, paints, medicines and cosmetics

Hydroelectric Power

Electricity produced from flowing water.

Solar Energy

Energy from the sun that gives of energy in form of heat or light.

Coal

Fossil Fuel that forms over millions of years from dead plants and animals from peat.

Biomass

Fuels from living things such as wood, manure, leaves or food waste.

Geothermal Energy

Intense heat from Earth's interior that warms magma and heats underground water to a boiling point.

Energy Conservation

Reducing energy use, which will make our resources last longer.

Renewable

Source of energy that will not run out in our lifetime. (Can be used over and over again)

Non-Renewable

Sources of energy that will run out if they are used faster than they are formed.

Nuclear Fusion

Splitting of an atom's nucleus in 2, which releases heat and is used to turn water into steam.

Fuel

Substance that provides energy, such as heat, light, motion or electricity.