Chapter Five

Fossil-Fueled Civilization

Summary: This chapter makes the transition from pre-industrial society to the modern age of fossil fuels and electricity. It discusses the impact of these fossil fuels on the economy, especially coal, oil and natural gas. How these energy resources are used and how they are collected using massive amounts of machinery and power is mentioned here, as well as some inventions that resulted from their introduction into society (trains, turbines, reactors, motors, airplanes and blast furnaces). Newly used matter such as aluminum, nuclear power and nitrogen are also discussed towards the end of the chapter.

Terms:

Tankers: Ships designed to transport and carry bulk liquids like crude oil.

Turbine: a machine which uses an engine to convert the energy from natural resources like wind and water into power.

Steam Turbogenerator: a turbine using steam connected to an generator to create useable energy.


Discussion

Why are hydro turbines and nuclear reactors and fertilizer in the chapter on fossil-fueled civilization?

Because they are vital resources of power that have fueled our need for energy in times where fossil fuels are becoming increasingly difficult to produce without distributing massive damage to the atmosphere.

What tends to happen to the thermal efficiency of power systems over time?

They are steadily increasing in efficency with new technology available to us today.

What is the purpose of transmission towers?

To transport electricity to millions of people all over the country in a efficent and fast manner.

Which energy resource mentioned in chapter five is most prominently used today?

Electricity.

What is the purpose of the blast furnace?

To aid in the production of metals such as iron.