Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Crude Oil is a Fossil Fuel formed from the remains of dead sea creatures trapped in the sediment at the bottom of the sea.
About Crude Oil
- Crude Oil is a non-renewable energy resource.
- Crude Oil has energy in its chemical potential energy store which can be transferred into a thermal energy store by combustion.
Power
- Crude Oil can be used to provide power directly buy burning it in homes, cars, trains. planes and in furnaces or it can provide power by generating electricity.
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| A diagram of a coal power station. |
- 1. Crude Oil is burned in a furnace.
- 2. Water is heated in a boiler by the burning oil.
- 3. Water turns to steam and passes down pipes to turn a turbine.
- 4. The turbine causes a generator to spin.
- 5. The generator makes an electrical current.
Advantages
- Can work continuously.
- Power supply can be varied depending on demand.
- Few power stations needed to supply a large number of houses.
Disadvantages
- Cost of fuel.
- Produce Carbon Dioxide contributing to global warming.
- Other pollutants produced which can harm health or produce acid rain.
- Crude Oil will run out.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Crude oil is a non-renewable energy resource and a feedstock for producing plastics.