Using the Gizmo, determine how coal and petroleum (oil) are formed. Describe the steps required to form each fuel from atmospheric CO2.

Answer and Explanation:

Petroleum and coal are fossil fuels.  The degradation of the earliest plants forms them. These dead plants started to pile up and form peat. Then the pressure and heat from various geological procedures convert peat into coal. Coal is a combustible rock which contains 50% carbon. Anthracite, Lignite and bituminous are the types of coal, and the formation of coal depends upon the quantity of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. Petroleum exists naturally in liquid form and formed by decomposed organic matter. Fossil fuels can be refined into usable substances. Gasoline, tar, lubricants and many other products are obtained from petroleum. There are two steps, which required to form fuel from atmospheric carbon dioxide. In first step carbon dioxide is converted into carbon monoxide. In the second step, carbon monoxide combines with hydrogen to form hydrocarbon fuels. The formation of fuel is a natural process when animals respire carbon dioxide release in the atmosphere.