I just can't figure out why, please help me thank you so so so much!!
2006-08-31 11:49:31 · 9 answers · asked by hey people!! 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
sun gives off light. plants grow. animals eat the plants. animals die and become fossil fuel millions of years later.
2006-08-31 11:51:25 · answer #1 · answered by Brent 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Since the source of the fossil fuels (e.g. coal) is plant material --the result of plants being buried and compressed under the weight of lots of rock (called overburden) -- it is a form of solar energy in that the plants originally grew because of sunshine, etc.
In other words the plants used the sunshine in photosynthesis and, therefore, converted the sun's energy into new plant material as the plant grew. The plant material became a fossil fuel.
WARNING: Ignore the answers that say anything about animals becoming fossil fuel -- they are completely wrong. For example, contrary to what you might have heard, dinosaurs did not die and become oil!
2006-08-31 18:55:25 · answer #2 · answered by idiot detector 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Fossil fuels are the products of temperature/pressure cooked former life; both plants and animals. Animals eat plants, so all hydrocarbons have an original source from plants. Plants convert sunlight energy into various compounds, in the process storing chemical energy. This enegry responsible for this is called "Solar Energy". Almost all lifeforms on this planet owe their existance to solar energy. Major exceptions include life that grows using thermal energy associated with geothermal energy.
2006-08-31 18:57:44 · answer #3 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
fossil fuel is originally buried animals and plants for hundreds of years under certain conditions of high temperature and pressure. These trees make photosynthesis where the solar light energy is changed to chemical energy stored in the plant tissues and it is well known that some animals eat plants and these animals are eaten by other animals so they all have there energy from the plant which has originally taken it from the sun.So when these animals and plant are buried and converted to fossil fuel it is said that it is a form of solar energy
2006-08-31 18:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by temvra_19 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would go for Im not perfect, he is correct with his anwser.
However, the question itself is really clutching at straws and has transended the the different types of fuel that actually exist. If this is an assignment from school, is a blomming bad one!
2006-08-31 21:12:30 · answer #5 · answered by A_Geologist 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a feeling you're supposed to be able to answer this from something you read as an assignment, right? Not fair asking us to do your homework. I'll give you a hint: it is NOT because animals die and become fossil fuels.
2006-08-31 18:51:29 · answer #6 · answered by MOM KNOWS EVERYTHING 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They aren't. You could argue that without the sun then nothing on earth would ever have lived so the sun directly affected the formation of those fuels. But that's reaching.
2006-08-31 18:52:38 · answer #7 · answered by gazongas 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The sun sends energy to Earth - solar energy. That's why you get a tan!
The sun helps plants to grow, which animals eat.
Animals die and it is thought oil comes from long dead, decaying animals.
So, oil is solar energy!
Earth is like a big aspaceship hurtling thorugh space. All the supplies we'll ever have are on board.
BUT we get constant energy from the sun - which makes so many things happen!
2006-08-31 18:50:49 · answer #8 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
sorry they are two different kinds of fuels. fossil fuels are from the ground solar is from the sun.
2006-08-31 18:54:20 · answer #9 · answered by Marg N 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋