Summary
These energy‑rich rocks are extracted, refined, and turned into fuels that power transportation and industry.
They also serve as a base for many plastics found in everyday devices such as smartphones.
Key Points
5 points1
Fossil fuels consist mainly of oil, natural gas, and coal, formed from organic matter.
2
Extraction involves drilling or mining to bring the resources to the surface.
3
Refining separates the crude material into usable fuels like gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
4
Petrochemical processes convert portions of fossil fuels into plastics and other materials.
5
Reliance on fossil fuels contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, prompting a shift toward renewable energy.
New Words to Learn
7 wordsfossil fuels
energy sources made from very old plants and tiny organisms that turned into rock
hydrocarbons
molecules made of hydrogen and carbon that store energy in oil and gas
microbes
extremely small living things that can only be seen with a microscope
extraction
the act of digging or drilling to bring resources up from the earth
refining
the process of cleaning and separating crude oil into different fuels
petrochemical
chemicals made from oil that are used to create plastics and other products
greenhouse gas
gases that trap heat in the atmosphere and can cause the planet to warm
Want to learn even more? Click here to read the full story!
🔊 Reading Article
Kid-friendly voice