Lesson 4.03 Combustion of Fossil Fuels

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

Think back to Lesson 1.02 when you learned about the types of energy.

One type of energy that you learned about was chemical potential energy. Chemical potential energy is energy that is trapped in the bonds of matter. This energy has to be released in order for it to be able to do work. Earlier in this unit, you learned about one type of chemical reaction that releases trapped energy in food molecules - respiration. You also have learned about how fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas are important sources of energy to humans.

Just like with the energy trapped in foods, the energy trapped in fossil fuels has to be released in order for it to be used by humans. In this lesson, you will learn about the chemical reactions that release this energy from the fossil fuels.

Lesson Objectives

Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to... Identify the products/byproducts of the combustion of different fossil fuels. Identify the chemical equations of the combustion of fossil fuels. Enduring Understanding: Though fossil fuels tend to be more efficient and cost effective in producing energy than alternative sources, their byproducts are more harmful to the environment. The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Environmental Science 1 This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standard: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R10, W1, W2, W3, W4, W9, and W10