http://www.ck12.org Chapter 17. Introduction to Energy
FIGURE 17.18
Whitewater rafting is an exciting sport.of years. Nonrenewable energy resources include fossil fuels and radioactive elements such as uranium.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuelsare mixtures of hydrocarbons that formed over millions of years from the remains of dead organisms.
They include petroleum (commonly called oil), natural gas, and coal. Fossil fuels provide most of the energy used in
the world today. They are burned in power plants to produce electrical energy, and they also fuel cars, heat homes,
and supply energy for many other purposes. You can see examples of their use inFigure17.19.
FIGURE 17.19
Do you use any of these fossil fuels? How do you use them?Fossil fuels contain stored chemical energy that came originally from the sun. Ancient plants changed energy in