Different Ways We Use Fossil Fuels: A Brief Introduction
Prehistoric remains of plants and animals generally create fossils. There are three types of fossil fuels namely natural gas, coal and oil/petroleum. Petroleum is the most broadly used fossil fuel. Petroleum originates from two Latin words “petro” which means rock and “leum” which means oil. On the other hand, coal is an abundant resource that is responsible for almost 40% of the electricity generated worldwide. Natural gas is another most efficient and convenient source of energy. Generally, natural gas is used in the industrial sector. In the next few segments, it is aimed to explain where fossil fuels are used.
Uses of Fossil Fuels: An In-depth Analysis
Before moving on to fossil fuel applications, it must be clarified that three forms of fossil fuels exist in three distinguished forms. Oil is found in liquid form, coal is found in solid form and natural gas is found in gaseous form. The various uses of fossil fuels are described in the following three segments:
a) Uses of Oil
b) Uses of coal
c) Uses of natural gas
Uses of Oil:
Crude oil or petroleum is also termed as ‘black gold’. Petroleum is used in different ways. Generating electricity, transportation as fuel for automobiles and jets etc are the various ways in which petroleum is used. Various chemicals, plastics, lubricants, tars, wax, medicines etc are produced from the by-products of oil. Different types of fertilizers and pesticides are produced either by oil or by its by-products. Oil is also the source of the fuels used in industries.
Uses of Coal:
Fossil fuel in its solid state is known as coal. Coal is composed of five elements namely sulphur, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. There are three varieties of coal according to different energy properties. Those are anthracite, bituminous and lignite. Among the three types of coals anthracite is the hardest form of coal which consists of more carbon and the highest energy. Coal can exist for more than 200 years. Coals are generally extracted from the mines. The use of coal has doubled after the 20th century. Most of the countries are dependent upon coal as the other two fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) are generally more expensive. Electrical utilities, various products such as dyes, aspirins, soap, fibres, plastics and solvents are made of coal or by-products of coal. There are various uses of coal in different industrial sectors such as the steel industry, pharmaceutical industry, cement manufacture, manufacturing of paper etc.
Uses of Natural Gas:
Natural gas is gaseous fuel and is mainly composed of methane. It is much cleaner than the other two fossil fuels. Natural gas is used in air conditioning, cooking appliances such as fuel stoves and heat homes and establishments, heating water etc. There are several uses of natural gases in the industrial sectors such as steel foundries, glass foundries, other manufacturing sectors, aluminium smelters etc. Paints, fertilisers, plastics and dyes are also produced by natural gases. Another significant use of natural gas is in transportation such as CNG or LNG.
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Structure of LP Gases
LPG stands for liquefied petroleum gas. Like all fossil fuels, it is a non-renewable energy source. Derived from petroleum and natural gas. LPG is composed of hydrocarbons with 3 or 4 carbon atoms. The general components of LPG are propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). Small amounts of other hydrocarbons may also be present.
The LPG burns easily in the air and has the same energy content as gasoline and twice the thermal energy of natural gas. This makes it the perfect fuel for heating, cooking and transportation fuel.
Structure of Coal
The plants from which coal is derived are composed of a complex mixture of organic compounds such as cellulose, lignin, fats, waxes and tannins. As the formation and coalification of peat progresses, these compounds, which have a more or less open structure, are decomposed to form new compounds (mainly aromatics like benzene). In vitrinite, these compounds are linked by cross-linking molecules such as oxygen, sulphur, and methylene. During the coalification, volatile phases rich in hydrogen and oxygen like carbon dioxide, methane, water, are formed and escape from the mass. Therefore, coal gradually becomes rich in carbon.
How do we Use Fossil Fuels in Everyday Life?
There are various fossil fuels applications in our day to day life. Fossil fuel uses in our daily life are given in the following table:
Uses of Fossils:
Various uses of fossils are given below:
Dates of sedimentary rocks are determined by the fossils.
Different time periods of the processing of earth are derived by the fossils.
Earth’s history can be identified with the help of fossils.
Uses of Fuel:
The uses of fuel are given in the following:
Gasoline is one of the most significant fuels for transportation.
Natural gas is used in heating and cooking.
Coal is an essential thing to generate electric power.
Alcohol is blended with gasoline to boost up the production of fuels.
Did You Know?
The uses of fossil fuels are massive in the production of medicines in the world. Petroleum and health care are very closely related to each other. Coal is also used for producing different types of medicines. Since coal is originated from the remains of plants and animals, various useful medicines are manufactured from coal.
So, now you know what do fossil fuels provide us with. Practically, our daily life will become come to a standstill in the absence of fossil fuels.
Summary
There are three types of fossil fuels namely natural gas, coal and oil/petroleum. Generally, natural gas is used in the industrial sector. Oil is found in liquid form, coal is found in solid form and natural gas is found in gaseous form. Generating electricity, transportation as fuel for automobiles and jets etc are the various ways in which petroleum is used. Different types of fertilisers and pesticides are produced either by oil or by its by-products. Most of the countries are dependent upon coal as the other two fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) are generally more expensive.
FAQs on Uses of Fossil Fuels
1. What is the primary use of fossil fuels across the world?
The primary use of fossil fuels is for energy generation. This includes producing electricity in power plants (mainly using coal and natural gas), powering transportation like cars, ships, and aeroplanes with petroleum products (gasoline, diesel), and providing heat for homes and industrial processes.
2. What are the three main types of fossil fuels and their natural states?
The three main types of fossil fuels are distinguished by their natural physical state:
- Coal: A solid fossil fuel, formed from ancient plant matter.
- Petroleum (Crude Oil): A liquid fossil fuel, formed from the remains of marine microorganisms.
- Natural Gas: A gaseous fossil fuel, primarily composed of methane, often found alongside petroleum deposits.
3. Besides fuel, what are some common products made from petroleum?
Petroleum is a vital raw material for the petrochemical industry. Beyond fuels, its by-products are used to manufacture a wide range of everyday items, including:
- Plastics of all types
- Synthetic fibres for clothing (e.g., nylon, polyester)
- Fertilizers and pesticides for agriculture
- Lubricants, waxes, and asphalt
- Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
4. How do the different types of coal—lignite, bituminous, and anthracite—compare in quality?
The quality of coal is determined by its carbon content and heat energy output. Anthracite is the highest quality coal with the highest carbon content (86-97%) and energy value. It burns cleanly with little smoke. Bituminous coal is the most common type, with a carbon content of 45-86%. Lignite is the lowest quality coal, with a lower carbon content (25-35%) and higher moisture, producing more smoke when burned.
5. Why is natural gas often considered a 'cleaner' fossil fuel than coal or oil?
Natural gas is considered a 'cleaner' fossil fuel because its combustion produces significantly lower amounts of harmful pollutants. When burned, it releases mainly carbon dioxide and water vapour. In contrast, burning coal and oil releases higher levels of carbon dioxide, as well as significant amounts of sulphur dioxide (which causes acid rain) and nitrogen oxides (which contribute to smog).
6. How does the formation of crude oil differ from the formation of coal?
The primary difference lies in the original organic material and the geological environment. Coal is formed from the remains of dense terrestrial vegetation like trees and ferns that were buried in swamps. Crude oil (and natural gas) is formed from the remains of tiny marine organisms like algae and zooplankton that were buried under ocean or river sediments. Both require immense heat and pressure over millions of years to transform.
7. Is uranium a type of fossil fuel? Explain why or why not.
No, uranium is not a fossil fuel. Although both are non-renewable energy sources, the key difference is their origin. Fossil fuels are formed from the fossilised remains of ancient plants and animals. Uranium, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring radioactive metal element mined from the Earth's crust. It produces energy through nuclear fission, not combustion.
8. What are the main environmental consequences of using fossil fuels?
The most significant environmental consequence is the release of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. This process traps heat, leading to global warming and climate change. Other major impacts include air pollution from sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which cause acid rain and respiratory problems, and environmental damage from extraction processes like mining and oil drilling.
