Chapter 11: Problem 2

Why are fossil fuels said to contain "ancient solar energy," whereas biofuels contain "current solar energy"?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Fossil fuels and biofuels both contain solar energy, as they are derived from plants and organisms that have absorbed sunlight during their lifetimes. The difference lies in the time it takes for the energy to be captured and stored. Fossil fuels, formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago, contain "ancient solar energy." In contrast, biofuels, derived from currently living organisms, contain "current solar energy."

Step by step solution

Understanding the concept of solar energy

Solar energy refers to the energy that comes from the Sun in the form of heat and light. This energy is harnessed by the Earth's ecosystem and converted to different forms, some of which is stored in organic matter through processes like photosynthesis.

Explaining fossil fuels

Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Over time, geological processes such as heat and pressure have transformed these remains into deposits of oil, coal, and natural gas. The energy stored within fossil fuels is derived from the sunlight that the original plants and organisms absorbed during their lifetime, making it a concentrated form of ancient solar energy.

Explaining biofuels

Biofuels, on the other hand, are derived from the organic matter of contemporary plants and animals. The energy stored in biofuels comes from the sunlight that the plants and organisms have absorbed during their relatively shorter lifetimes, typically ranging from months to years. Examples of biofuels include ethanol from corn, biodiesel from algae, and biomass from wood.

Comparing fossil fuels and biofuels

The main difference between fossil fuels and biofuels lies in the time it takes for the energy to be captured and stored. Fossil fuels take millions of years to form, while biofuels use the energy captured by currently living organisms. This is why fossil fuels are considered to contain "ancient solar energy," whereas biofuels contain "current solar energy."

Summary

Both fossil fuels and biofuels contain solar energy because they are derived from plants and organisms that have absorbed sunlight during their lifetimes. Fossil fuels contain ancient solar energy because they are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Biofuels contain current solar energy because they are produced from living organisms that have recently absorbed sunlight.

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Why are fossil fuels said to contain "ancient solar energy," whereas biofuels contain "current solar energy"?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the concept of solar energy

Explaining fossil fuels

Explaining biofuels

Comparing fossil fuels and biofuels

Summary

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