Describe how fossil fuels were formed?

Fossil fuels are formed from dead plants and animals buried in the soil over the millions of years. Fossil fuels require high temperature and pressure for their synthesis. Both plants and animals have carbon and hydrogen atoms within their bodies which act as stored energy that serves as fuel when burned.

As the fossil material gets buried deeper underground it is subjected to increased heat and pressure. As the heat rises the fossil molecules break apart. 

After millions of years, the compounds that makeup plankton and plants turn into fossil fuels. Plankton decomposes into natural gas and oil, while plants become coal.  

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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