Fossil Fuel Objective Sheet
Name ________________________
These are the concepts you need to master for this unit. This is a study guide for quizzes and
test.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explain the concept of “environmental injustice” and give an example from the Houston area.
Define environmental sustainability.
Describe petroleum refining – what happens in a refining distillation column and what products are
created?
Explain the role of the Houston Ship Channel in our city.
How is the energy industry important to the Houston area?
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Distinguish among primary, secondary, and tertiary oil recovery.
Explain how geologists find oil and natural gas underground.
What is “fracking” and how is it done?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of fracking?
How has fracking changed energy issues (including price and imports) in the United States?
11. Describe the carbon cycle. Know the reservoirs and processes involved in the cycle. (attach diagram)
12. Name three types of fossil fuels and explain how fossil fuels are formed.
13. What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources? Give examples of each. Why
are fossil fuels considered to be nonrenewable?
14. What is the difference between energy and a fuel?
15. Why are hydrocarbons or fossil fuels such good energy sources?
16. Name air pollutants created by a refinery that are a problem in the Houston area. What are the effects of
these pollutants on people?
17. Describe the air pollution issues near fracking operations.
18. Briefly summarize the effects of an oil spill. What happens to oil spilled in the ocean?
19. Describe the Macando BP oil spill and its effect in our area.
20. What is the source of most of the oil in the ocean and how does it get to the ocean?
21. Contrast potential and kinetic energy. Give examples of each type.
22. Explain the conservation of energy. What happens to energy as it changes form?
23.
24.
25.
26.
Label a diagram of an electric power plant. Understand how electricity is produced.
What power plant do we get energy from and where is it?
What types of fuel are used at our power plant and how has the mix of fuels changed recently?
Compare the types of air pollution created by burning natural gas and coal for electricity.
27. Be able to read an electric bill. On any bill, find the current balance owed, cost per kilowatt hour, and
comparative consumption.
28. Explain at least five ways to save electricity in your own home.
29. On a map of the US, be able to show the location of major refineries, the Houston Ship Channel, and
major oil production areas. Be able to show the major coal mining areas and know where Houston’s coal
comes from.
Wed Jan 14/Thursday Jan 15
Friday Jan 16
Watershed Test
Interactive Notebook due
Interactive
notebook: How
refineries work.
Introduce tradeoffs of oil industry,
sustainability and environmental justice
Discuss classroom
laptop
expectations
HW – ask about your home’s electric bill
HW – ask about
your home’s
electric bill
Monday Jan 19
Tuesday Jan 20
Wednesday Jan 21/Thursday Jan 22
Friday Jan 23
No School – MLK
Day! 
Interactive
Notebook: Oil
production
Quiz – Objectives #1-10
Air pollution and
refineries
HW – study for quiz
next class; ask
about your home’s
electric bill
Interactive Notebook: Fossil Fuel
formation and the carbon cycle
HW – ask about your home’s electric bill
HW – ask about
your home’s
electric bill
Monday Jan 26
Tuesday Jan 27
Wednesday Jan 28/Thursday Jan 29
Friday Jan 30
Oil Spill Activity
Interactive
Notebook: Energy
Basics
Quiz – Objectives #21-22
Electric bill due
Interactive Notebook: From coal to
electricity
How to read your
electric bill;
comparing
electricity use of
appliances
HW – ask about
your home’s
electric bill
HW – study for quiz
tomorrow! ask
about your home’s
electric bill
HW – Electric bill due next class!
HW - Home Energy
Audit assigned –
Part 1 due Monday
Monday Feb 2
Tuesday Feb 3
Wednesday Feb 4/Thursday Feb 5
Friday Feb 6
Part 1 of Energy
audit stamped.
Review day
Fossil Fuel Unit Test
Home energy audit
due MAJOR GRADE
Classwork – Part 2
calculations
HW – Home Energy
Audit.