Oil+Page


 * Petroleum / Oil[[image:petroleum power.jpg align="right"]] **


 *  What is it? **

 Oil is a mixture of primarily two elements: carbon and hydrogen.

 Oil was formed from the remains of microscopic animals and plants - zooplankton and phytoplankton - that floated on the surfaces of lakes and seas millions of years ago.

 The plankton died and drifted downward, mixing with mud and silt. As the centuries passed, layers of sediment covered over the decaying materials. Pressure and temperature increased, transforming the plankton into oil.

 Oil naturally seeps to the Earth's surface along fault lines and cracks in rocks.

 Crude oil ranges in colour from almost clear to green, amber, brown or black. It may flow like water or creep like molasses. It is described as "sweet" or "sour" depending on the presence or absence of sulphur and other impurities.

 Crude oil can be refined into other products like kerosene, gasoline and various other fuel oils.

 Oil is most often used as a source for energy, especially for fuels for transportation. It's also used in the manufacture of many products, from prescription drugs to plastics.

NPR Visualizing the Energy Grid - Learn about the energy resources powering our country and our state, and find out how they are interconnected.
 * Learn More **

Energy Explained - US Energy Information Administration. Learn about how each energy resources is found and used to provide the energy we need.

Energy4Me - Compare the pros and cons of each energy resource.

CBC News Online | May 20, 2009 [], - Additional information about energy resources.

Buzzle: Pros and Cons of Energy - Additional information about energy resources.

Estimated cost per kilowatt hour by resource:




 * Video Resources: **

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