Best Study Material and Notes to learn about non-renewable energy sources, including fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Explore their formation, advantages, disadvantages, environmental impacts, and conservation methods. Perfect study resource for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE)
Non-Renewable Energy Sources (Fossil Fuels) for All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination (AISSEE) Class 6 GK Section
Q1. What are non-renewable energy sources?
Ans: Non-renewable energy sources are natural resources that cannot be replenished in a short period of time. They take millions of years to form and are consumed faster than they can be replaced. Examples include coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Q2. What are fossil fuels?
Ans: Fossil fuels are energy sources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals buried under the Earth’s surface for millions of years. They include coal, petroleum (crude oil), and natural gas.
Q3. How are fossil fuels formed?
Ans: Fossil fuels are formed through the decomposition of organic matter under high pressure and temperature over millions of years. The process includes:
- Plants and animals die and get buried under layers of soil and sediments.
- Over time, heat and pressure transform the organic matter into coal, oil, or natural gas.
Q4. What are the types of fossil fuels?
Ans: The three main types of fossil fuels are:
- Coal – A solid fuel used mainly in power generation and industries.
- Petroleum (Crude Oil) – A liquid fuel refined into petrol, diesel, and other products.
- Natural Gas – A gaseous fuel mainly composed of methane, used for cooking and electricity generation.
Q5. Why are fossil fuels considered non-renewable?
Ans: Fossil fuels take millions of years to form, and their rate of consumption is much faster than their rate of formation. Hence, they cannot be replenished within a human lifetime, making them non-renewable.
Q6. What are the advantages of fossil fuels?
Ans: The advantages of fossil fuels are:
- High energy efficiency
- Easy availability
- Reliable and widely used for transportation and electricity generation
Q7. What are the disadvantages of fossil fuels?
Ans: The disadvantages of fossil fuels are:
- They cause air pollution and global warming.
- Their extraction damages the environment.
- They are limited in supply and will eventually deplete.
Q8. What are the alternatives to fossil fuels?
Ans: Renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, and biomass are alternatives to fossil fuels. These sources are sustainable and eco-friendly.
Q9. How does the burning of fossil fuels contribute to global warming?
Ans: The burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat, leading to an increase in global temperatures, a phenomenon known as global warming.
Q10. What is the impact of fossil fuel usage on human health?
Ans: The use of fossil fuels causes air pollution, which leads to respiratory diseases, lung cancer, heart diseases, and other health problems due to the inhalation of toxic gases and particulate matter.
Q11. What are the major fossil fuel reserves in India?
Ans: Major fossil fuel reserves in India include:
- Coal: Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh
- Petroleum: Assam, Gujarat, Mumbai Offshore
- Natural Gas: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura
Q12. What is the role of fossil fuels in electricity generation?
Ans: Fossil fuels, especially coal, are burned in power plants to generate steam, which drives turbines connected to electricity generators, producing electricity.
Q13. How can we conserve fossil fuels?
Ans: Fossil fuels can be conserved by:
- Using energy-efficient appliances
- Reducing vehicular emissions by using public transport
- Promoting renewable energy sources
- Practicing energy conservation at home and industries
Q14. What are the environmental impacts of fossil fuel extraction?
Ans: Fossil fuel extraction can lead to:
- Deforestation and habitat destruction
- Water pollution from oil spills and mining activities
- Soil degradation due to mining
- Release of harmful gases, causing acid rain and air pollution
Q15. What is the process of refining crude oil?
Ans: The process of refining crude oil involves:
- Distillation – Separating different components based on boiling points.
- Cracking – Breaking down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones.
- Reforming – Converting low-quality fuels into high-quality fuels.
- Blending – Mixing different refined products to achieve desired fuel characteristics.
Q16. How does coal mining affect the environment?
Ans: Coal mining causes:
- Air pollution from dust and harmful gases
- Land degradation due to open-pit mining
- Water pollution from chemical runoff
- Health hazards for workers due to exposure to coal dust and toxic chemicals
Q17. What are some ways to reduce dependence on fossil fuels?
Ans: Dependence on fossil fuels can be reduced by:
- Increasing the use of renewable energy sources
- Promoting energy-efficient technologies
- Encouraging electric vehicles and alternative fuels
- Implementing strict environmental policies and carbon taxes
Q18. What is carbon footprint, and how is it related to fossil fuels?
Ans: A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily CO₂, emitted due to human activities. The burning of fossil fuels significantly increases the carbon footprint by releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Q19. What is fracking, and why is it controversial?
Ans: Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) is a method of extracting natural gas and oil by injecting high-pressure liquid into underground rock formations. It is controversial because:
- It causes groundwater contamination.
- It can trigger earthquakes.
- It releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Q20. What steps are being taken globally to reduce fossil fuel usage?
Ans: Steps being taken include:
- Paris Agreement: Countries pledging to reduce carbon emissions.
- Investment in Renewable Energy: Governments and companies investing in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
- Electric Vehicles (EVs): Promotion of electric cars to reduce gasoline and diesel consumption.
- Carbon Tax and Regulations: Imposing taxes and restrictions on industries emitting excessive CO₂.
Q21. What industries are the largest consumers of fossil fuels?
Ans: The largest consumers of fossil fuels include:
- Transportation – Cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships rely on petroleum-based fuels.
- Electricity Generation – Coal and natural gas power plants produce electricity.
- Manufacturing and Industrial Processes – Industries use coal, oil, and gas for production.
- Agriculture – Machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides rely on fossil fuel derivatives.
Q22. What are fossil fuel subsidies, and why are they criticized?
Ans: Fossil fuel subsidies are financial support provided by governments to lower the cost of fossil fuels. They are criticized because they:
- Encourage excessive fossil fuel consumption.
- Hinder investment in renewable energy sources.
- Contribute to environmental pollution and climate change.
Q23. How do fossil fuels impact marine ecosystems?
Ans: Fossil fuels impact marine ecosystems through:
- Oil spills, which contaminate water and harm marine life.
- Ocean acidification, caused by excessive CO₂ absorption.
- Thermal pollution, due to industrial discharges raising water temperatures.
Q24. How does deforestation contribute to fossil fuel consumption?
Ans: Deforestation increases fossil fuel consumption by:
- Reducing the number of trees that absorb CO₂, leading to higher atmospheric carbon levels.
- Increasing land use for mining and extraction activities.
- Encouraging industrialization and urbanization, which demand more fossil fuel energy.
Do You Know?
- India is the third-largest consumer of energy in the world.
- Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in India.
- Natural gas is considered the cleanest fossil fuel.
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