Formation of fossil fuels
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe what coal, oil and natural gas are, how they formed, and why they are non-renewable energy resources.
Key learning points
- Coal is a sedimentary rock that burns because it is made mostly of carbon, with some impurities.
- Coal is formed from deep sediments of organic matter made of prehistoric plants.
- Oil and gas formed from dead plankton mixed in with sediments that formed millions of years ago.
- Oil and natural gas are found in pores of sedimentary rock.
- The organic matter that formed coal, oil and natural gas decomposed into hydrocarbons.
Keywords
Organic matter - Organic matter comes from living organisms. It contains carbon atoms as the main framework of compounds to which hydrogen atoms can attach.
Plankton - Plankton are microscopic, aquatic plants and animals.
Decomposition - Decomposition is the break down of dead and decaying matter.
Hydrocarbons - Hydrocarbons are molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms only.
Fossil fuel - Fossil fuels are formed over millions of years from the dead remains of organisms.
Common misconception
Thinking we can keep finding more fossil fuels to use, and that they are a renewable energy resource.
Teach that fossil fuels take millions of years to form and they are being used at a faster rate than they are produced.
Teacher tip
Engage students with samples of peat and coal. Explain that the gas used in schools for Bunsen burner use is often methane gas (the main constituent of natural gas).
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How long does it take to form fossil fuels?
Q2.What is the scientific name for burning?
Q3.What type of rock is coal?
Q4.Hydrocarbons are molecules found in coal, crude oil and natural gas.
Which elements do hydrocarbons contain?
Q5.Match the key terms with the correct definitions.
this comes from living organisms
microscopic, aquatic plants and animals
the break down of dead and decaying matter
formed over millions of years from the dead remains of organisms
Q6.Which of the following are fossil fuels?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What name do we give fuels formed over millions of years from the dead remains of organisms?
Q2.The organic matter that formed coal, oil and natural gas decomposed into which molecules?
Q3.What conditions lead to the production of fossil fuels from organic matter over millions of years?
Q4.Coal is made from ...
Q5.Where are crude oil and natural gas found?
Q6.Rearrange the statements to describe how crude oil and natural gas form.
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Formation of fossil fuels, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 science lesson on: Formation of fossil fuels, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Carbon cycle and climate change unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.