Science: Section 1
Fuels
A fuel is a substance that burns to release energy.
Combustion
When a fuel burns the chemical reaction is known as combustion. When combustion takes place the fuel is reacting with oxygen in the air to release energy in the form of heat and light.
Pollution
When some fuels are burned they release pollutant gases and fine particles that can affect the quality of the air that we breathe. This is a big problem in areas such as town and cities where there are lots of vehicles that are burning these fuels.
Combustion Experiments
The following three videos demonstrate the combustion of some fuels.
Whoosh Bottle
Click down to view more experiments.Methane Tin
Click down to view more experiments.Dynamite Soap
| Coal | Formed by dead plant material |
| Used by power plants to produce electricity for our homes |
| Oil | Formed from dead sea creatures and plant material |
| Has many, many uses such as petrol, plastics, diesel, tar and lubricating oil. |
| Gas | Formed alongside both coal and oil |
| Known as natural gas it is used by fires, cookers and water heaters in the home. |
Renewable Fuels
Biofuels are produced from plant material:
- Ethanol
- Biogas
- Biomass
Hydrogen is produced from water.
Science: Section 1
Fuels
Continue to Section 2.
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