Lesson StarterWrite down the energy changes that

are taking place in the following pictures:1.

2.

3.

4.

• Since you woke up this morning, list all the times you have used energy.

• When the lights go out

Lesson Outcomes

•State the energy changes in a coal power station.

•State that fossil fuels are coal, oil and gas

•State advantages and disadvantages of using fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels

• A fuel is something that is burned to release energy.

• Fossil fuels (hydrocarbons) are coal, oil and natural gas.

• These are made from dead animals from thousands of years ago.

• These will run out!• They are non-renewable.

Fossil Fuels

• http://www.twigonglow.com/films/fossil-fuels-use-1317/

• http://www.twigonglow.com/films/fossil-fuels-formation-1316/

How Coal is formed• Large plants on the earth die and fall to the ground.• The dead plants get covered in soil and get crushed• Over millions of years they decay and chemical

reactions occur to form coal

How Oil and Gas Form• Tiny microscopic sea animals and plants die• They fall to the ocean floor and get covered in

sand and get crushed • Over millions of years they decay and chemical

reactions occur to form oil and natural gas.

How a power station works• Glue handout into jotter.

• Write down the energy conversion which takes place at each step.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeXG8K5_UvU

Lesson Starters• Write down the energy

conversions which take place in a power station.

• Describe how fossil fuels are formed?

• Why are our fossil fuel supplies decreasing rapidly?

Advantages of fossil fuels

Fossil Fuels

advantages

• A large supply of electricity can be generated in just a single location. 

• Fossil fuels are currently very easy to find.  • Transporting oil and gas to the power

stations can be made through the use of pipes making it an easy task. 

• Power stations that make use of fossil fuel can be constructed in almost any location.

Disadvantages of fossil fuels

Fossil Fuels – disadvantages•Burning fossil fuels produces harmful

gases such as Carbon Dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide. Black soot (carbon) is also produced and sometimes Carbon monoxide which is very harmful.

•Sulphur Dioxide gas dissolves in rain water and is responsible for Acid Rain.

•Carbon Dioxide causes global warming.•Non-renewable resource.

Lesson Starter• What are two advantages of using

fossil fuels?• What are two disadvantages of using

fossil fuels?

Acid Rain• Acid rain alters the pH (measurement of acidity

or alkalinity) of soil.• A slight change in a soils acidity will affect how

crops grow. • Water living animals will be affected by acid rain

and may die.• Acid rain corrodes buildings, statues and can

speed up rusting of metals e.g. cars, bridges etc.• Burning fossil fuels creates acid rain.• http://www.twigonglow.com/films/glossary/acid-rain-396/

Global Warming• Even a small increase in temperature over a long

time may change the climate.• Global warming may bring big changes to the way

we live.• Melting of the polar ice caps may result in an

increase in sea level and coastal flooding.• In certain regions there will be droughts due to less

rainfall.• A rise in temperature may produce more deserts,

resulting in fewer plants and therefore less food.• http://www.twigonglow.com/films/global-warming-

1246/