AP Environmental Science Flashcards: Fuel Types and Uses
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 16 cards to help you master important concepts.
Define peat.
Peat is partially decomposed organic material that can be burned for fuel.
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Define peat.
Peat is partially decomposed organic material that can be burned for fuel.
What is the relationship between pressure and the type of coal formed?
Pressure, along with heat and burial depth, is a key factor in the development of different types of coal; higher pressure generally leads to more energy-dense coal like anthracite.
Which fossil fuel is considered the cleanest?
Natural gas is considered the cleanest of the fossil fuels.
What are the three types of coal used for fuel mentioned in the text?
The three types of coal used for fuel are lignite, bituminous, and anthracite.
What are tar sands?
Tar sands are a combination of clay, sand, water, and bitumen from which crude oil can be recovered.
A factory burns natural gas to power its machinery and also uses the waste heat from this process to warm its facilities. What is this an example of?
This is an example of cogeneration, because a single fuel source is used to generate both electricity (for machinery) and useful heat.
Define cogeneration.
Cogeneration occurs when a single fuel source is used to generate both useful heat and electricity.
What valuable resource can be recovered from tar sands?
Crude oil can be recovered from the bitumen found in tar sands.
What is the primary component of natural gas?
Natural gas is mostly composed of methane.
Why is wood a common fuel source in many developing countries?
Wood is a common fuel in developing countries because it is easily accessible.
What is bitumen, in the context of fuel sources?
Bitumen is a component of tar sands, along with clay, sand, and water, from which crude oil is recovered.
A geological survey finds a coal deposit that was formed under relatively low heat, pressure, and shallow burial. Which type of coal is it most likely to be?
Given the low heat, pressure, and shallow burial, it is most likely to be lignite, a less developed type of coal.
In what forms is wood commonly used as a fuel?
Wood is commonly used as fuel in the forms of firewood and charcoal.
What are the four components of tar sands?
Tar sands are a combination of four components: clay, sand, water, and bitumen.
What factors contribute to the development of various coal types?
Heat, pressure, and the depth of burial are the factors that contribute to the development of various coal types and their qualities.
What is charcoal?
Charcoal is a form of fuel derived from wood, commonly used in developing countries because it is easily accessible.