Chapter 19, Problem 1TYC

To determine

To explain: The reason behind the fossil fuels being the most prevalent source of energy and the reason behind considering the fossil fuels as nonrenewable.

Answer to Problem 1TYC

As the fossil fuels are the highly combustible compounds which are formed from the organic matter which buried thousands of years ago, they store a large amount of energy. Even small quantity of fossil fuels produces a large amount of energy. Fossil fuels, especially oil products, are prevalent today because they are efficient to burn, ship, and store. Natural gas is cleaner burning, and coal is most plentiful. They are all considered nonrenewable because they are being extracted and consumed much faster than they are being formed naturally.

Explanation of Solution

The fossil fuels are the highly combustible compounds, which are formed by the burying of the dead organisms. The synthesis of fossil fuel takes thousands to millions of years. The reason behind the fossils being most prevalent source of energy is that they store a high amount of energy in them, which makes them efficient in burning, storing and shipping.

There are three different forms of fossil fuels which are utilized by humans, namely coal, oil and natural gas. These are produced from natural process and their production takes a very long time and once they will get depleted then, they will not be replaced within stipulated time period. To produce one gallon of natural oil, the biosphere takes thousands of years. Hence, fossil fuel is considered as nonrenewable.