5.7A: Formation of Fossil Fuels
Earth and Space
Part I: The Formation of Sedimentary Rocks
1.
Briefly explain how sedimentary rocks are formed.
2.
What evidence do scientists use to infer the age of sedimentary rocks?
Part II: The Formation of Coal
3.
What organisms fell into the water to start the formation of coal?
4.
What is peat?
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5.7A: Formation of Fossil Fuels
Earth and Space
5.
What processes change lignite into harder types of coal that burn better?
6.
Why is coal classified as a nonrenewable resource?
Part III: The Formation of Oil
7.
What organisms fell to the bottom of the sea to start the formation of oil?
8.
What eventually formed above the original layer of organic matter (dead plankton mixed
with mud)?
9.
What two processes gradually broke down the organic matter in to oil and gas?
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5.7A: Formation of Fossil Fuels
Earth and Space
Part IV: The Formation of Natural Gas
10. Describe the processes that led to the formation of natural gas.
11. Why is mercaptan, a chemical that smells like rotten eggs, added to natural gas before
distribution?
Conclusion:
12. Why do you think coal, oil, and natural gas are called fossil fuels?
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