Natural gas is generally considered a nonrenewable fossil fuel. (There are some renewable sources of natural gas; we'll discuss these later.) Natural gas is called a fossil fuel because most scientists believe that natural gas was formed from the remains of tiny sea animals and plants that died 200-400 million years ago.
When these tiny sea animals and plants died, they sank to the bottom of the oceans where they were buried by layers of sand and silt. Over the years, the layers of sand and silt became thousands of feet thick, subjecting the energy-rich plant and animal remains to enormous pressure. Most scientists believe that the pressure, combined with the heat of the earth, changed this organic mixture into petroleum and natural gas. Eventually, concentrations of natural gas became trapped in the rock layers much like a wet household sponge traps water.
Raw natural gas is a mixture of different gases. Its main ingredient is methane, a natural compound that is formed whenever plant and animal matter decays. By itself, methane is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. As a safety measure, natural gas companies add a chemical odorant (it smells like rotten eggs) so escaping gas can be detected. Natural gas should not be confused with gasoline, which is made from petroleum.
History of Natural Gas
The ancient peoples of Greece, Persia, and India discovered natural gas many centuries ago. The people were mystified by the burning springs created when natural gas seeping from cracks in the ground was ignited by lightning. They sometimes built temples around these eternal flames so they could worship the fire.
About 2,500 years ago, the Chinese recognized that natural gas could be put to work. The Chinese piped the gas from shallow wells and burned it under large pans to evaporate sea water for salt.
Natural gas was first used in America to illuminate the streets of Baltimore in 1816. Soon after, in 1821, William Hart dug the first successful American natural gas well in Fredonia, New York. His well was 27 feet deep, quite shallow compared to today's wells. The Fredonia Gas Light Company opened its doors in 1858 as the nation's first natural gas company. By 1900, natural gas had been discovered in 17 states. In the past 40 years, the use of natural gas has grown dramatically. Today, natural gas accounts for about a quarter of the energy we use.
8a: Natural gas in a nonrenewable source. It is a fossil fuel because it is made from tiny sea animals. These animals over 200-400 million years turn into this fossil fuel and produce natural gas main ingrediant which is methane gas. That is the reason for the smell of rotten eggs. About 2,500 years ago the Chinese found that it could be put to use. Natural gas was first used in America to illuminate the street of Baltimore in 1816. Today natural gas accounts for about a quarter of the energy we use.
8b: Posted on two classmates posts.
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