AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Fossil Fuels
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What are the primary chemical products resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels?
The combustion of fossil fuels primarily yields carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
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What are the primary chemical products resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels?
The combustion of fossil fuels primarily yields carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
Describe the general process of generating electricity from fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are burned to generate heat, which turns water into steam. This steam then turns a turbine connected to a generator, which produces electricity.
A community near a new natural gas well reports new contaminants in their drinking water. What fossil fuel extraction method described could be the cause?
The likely cause is hydrologic fracturing (fracking), as it is known to carry a risk of causing groundwater contamination.
Besides groundwater contamination, what other type of pollution is linked to fracking?
Fracking is also linked to air pollution through the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Trace the energy transformations that occur in a fossil fuel power plant.
The process involves the conversion of chemical energy (in fuel) to thermal energy (steam), then to mechanical energy (turbine), and finally to electrical energy (generator).
What is the role of the steam-powered turbine in a fossil fuel power plant?
The turbine is spun by high-pressure steam. This rotational mechanical energy is then used to spin a generator, which is the final step in producing electricity.
What are the two reactants in the combustion of fossil fuels?
The two reactants in the combustion of fossil fuels are the fuel itself (hydrocarbons) and oxygen.
What is a major environmental effect of releasing carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels?
The release of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is a primary driver of climate change and global warming.
What is the chemical reaction that releases energy from fossil fuels called?
The process is called combustion, which is a chemical reaction between the fuel and oxygen that yields carbon dioxide, water, and energy.
What are two specific environmental risks associated with hydrologic fracturing (fracking)?
Hydrologic fracturing can lead to the contamination of groundwater and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere.