LT: I can explain why we use fossil fuels, how they negatively impact the environment, and I can design a testable question to study a sustainable solution to pollution.

Natural resources, including coal, fuel oil, and natural gas

Created from the remains of dead animal and plant life that lived up to 300 million years ago.

are found in deposits beneath the earth The burning of these fuels releases carbon

dioxide into the atmosphere, which scientists believe accelerates global warming.

Over 85% of our energy demands are met by the combustion of fossil fuels.

They are a non-renewable source of energy.

To make use of the resource of fossil fuels, humans have developed drilling, refining, and methods to harness fossil fuel energy.

The fuels are burned to release the chemical energy that is stored within this resource.

Fossil fuels are made of hydrocarbons. They have energy stored within them. This energy is contained in the atomic

bonds. The original source of this energy is all the solar energy the prehistoric organisms trapped in their bodies eons ago.

How do we make use of this bond energy then? We burn them.

Combustion is the process of breaking atomic bonds to release energy in the form of light and heat.

Fossil fuels have many hydrocarbons, each with numerous bonds.

When they undergo combustion, they release a great deal of heat.

This is the main reason why natural gas and heating oils are used extensively in the world today.

ADVANTAGES: Straightforward combustion process Relatively inexpensive Easily transported

DISADVANTAGES Thought to be a major cause of global warming Cause of acid rain Not sustainable in the long-term  Politics and Economics can cause major price

increases Extraction can be very damaging to the

landscape

Wind PowerTidal PowerSolar PowerBiofuelGeothermal

HOW DO SCIENTISTS DO AN EXPERIMENT?

(1) Ron has heard that different chemicals and hairsprays are harmful to the environment, yet people use household chemicals and even hairspray everyday. How can he prove this and then come up with an alternative for hairspray? Develop a testable question to investigate this topic.

(2) Tyrique hopes that people will use wind power more often. Help him determine the best model for a windmill that will produce the most electricity, and test its results. How can he prove which design is best? Develop a testable question to investigate this topic.

(3) Miaya wants to stop using fossil fuels and wants to use her leftover foods to produce ethanol for fuel. How can she find which food is best for producing ethanol? Develop a testable question to investigate this topic.

(4) Julie wants to live in a house that is more eco-friendly than the one she lives in now. How can she have it designed so that it has characteristics that help it reduce pollution. Develop a testable question and design different model houses to investigate this topic.

What is an independent variable?

What is a dependent variable?

What is a control? Why do you need one?