Chapter 6

Units 6.1-6.4
Resources: Textbook, teacher notes, online resources
Unit 6.1 Coal
Fossilisation- dead organisms (plant and animals) compressed in the
earth’s crust by the intense heat and pressure over millions of years.

Fossil fuels- fuels that formed due to the fossilisation of living

organisms (coal, oil & gas)

How was coal formed?

Fossil fuel formed mostly of dead vegetation, sometimes of animal

matter (organic compound)

Types of coal: Different types present (Bituminous is the most common)

Unit 6.1
Coal mining: Open cast vs Deep shaft mining

Coal is found in layers of the earth called coal seams.

Advantages vs disadvantages:

Open cast is fairly easily as it is closer to surface, coal

is inexpensive. Depths of up to 50m.

Deep shaft is for depths of 50-350m. It is riskier, but the

quality and quantity are far better.
Coal and its Fractions
Pg 105 Figure 4
Unit 6.2 Oil
Formed by the fossilisation of dead marine organisms.

What does that tell us about the location of the oil

reserves?
Drilling for oil
Seismic Surveys

Drilling using oil derricks

Important parts of the oil derrick

Risks Involved especially if oil is found underwater

Natural gas
Methane is better than oil: why?

Clean

Hot flame
Unit 6.3 Refining oil
Recall the process of fractional distillation.

Video link for fractional distillation of crude oil:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYMWUz7TC3A

Cracking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsqlv4rWnEg

Steam cracking

Catalytic Cracking

Purpose ?
Large molecules vs Small molecules
Larger molecules have higher melting and boiling points,

Heavier, viscose, darker in colour,doesn’t burn too well.

Smaller molecules are lighter, volatile, lighter in colour

and burns well.
Unit 6.3: Uses of the fractions of crude oil
Unit 6.4 Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy-energy harnessed from the nucleus of an atom.

Nuclear fission- splitting of a radioactive nucleus into

smaller nuclei with the release of radioactive energy

Nuclear fusion-fusing of radioactive nuclei into a larger

nucleus with the release energy

Chain Reaction- a reaction once started leads to numerous

others in a continuous chain.
Unit 6.4
Nuclear Reactor-the heart of a nuclear plant where nuclear reaction
occurs

Magnox- material used for making the reactor, magnesium is one of the
materials used.

Core- the centre of the reactor made of graphite with holes drilled into
them to hold the uranium fuel rods

Moderator- the moderator is responsible for controlling the speed of the

nuclear reactions

Control Rods- can absorb extra neutrons helping contain the intensity of
the reaction

Heat Exchanger- CO2 is passed through the reactor to absorb the heat
released. The hot CO2 then heats up water in the exchanger, turns it to
steam. This is then used to rotate the turbine to generate electricity.
Diagram and Labeling for Nuclear Reactor
Uses of Nuclear Energy: Pros and Cons
Read the textbook.

Discuss amongst your classmates.