What is a Fuel? and Effects of Burning Fuels – NCERT Class-8 Notes

What is a Fuel? and Fuel Efficiency Burning of Fuels Leads to Harmful Products- Class 8 NCERT Revision Notes: Fuel is a substance that releases energy when burned. Fuels are used to power vehicles, generate electricity, and heat homes and businesses. There are many different types of fuels, including fossil fuels, renewable fuels, and nuclear fuels. Fuel efficiency is a measure of how efficiently a fuel is used. It is the ratio of the amount of energy produced by a fuel to the amount of energy that is consumed. Fuel efficiency is important because it can help to reduce fuel costs and emissions.

In this article, we will look into the meaning of fuel and fuel efficiency. We will also discuss about the burning of fuels leads to harmful products. It is an important concept in class 8 science. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on fuel and fuel efficiency.

What is Fuel?

Fuel is any substance that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but has since also been applied to other sources of heat energy, such as nuclear energy (via nuclear fission and nuclear fusion).

Fuels are of various types and are used for different purposes. While some of these are used in the process of production, others are used for transportation. For example, fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas are used for the production of electricity, while fuels like petrol and diesel are used for transportation. Fuels are also used for cooking and heating purposes. For example, fuels like wood, charcoal, and LPG are used for cooking, while fuels like kerosene and diesel are used for heating.

Types of Fuel

There are many different types of fuel, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of fuel include:

Solid Fuels

Solid fuels are fuels that are solid at room temperature. Examples of solid fuels include coal, wood, and peat. Solid fuels are often used to generate electricity or to heat homes and businesses.

Liquid Fuels

Liquid fuels are fuels that are liquid at room temperature. Examples of liquid fuels include gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. Liquid fuels are often used to power vehicles and to generate electricity.

Gaseous Fuels

Gaseous fuels are fuels that are in a gaseous state at room temperature. Examples of gaseous fuels include natural gas, propane, and butane. Gaseous fuels are often used to heat homes and businesses, to generate electricity, and to power vehicles.

Properties of Ideal Fuel

An ideal fuel is a fuel that has the following characteristics:

• It should be readily available.
• It should be inexpensive.
• It should have a high calorific value.
• It should not produce any harmful gases or residues.
• It should be easy to store and transport.
• It should have a low ignition temperature.

Some examples of ideal fuels include natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and hydrogen. These fuels are all readily available, inexpensive, and have a high calorific value. They also produce no harmful gases or residues and are easy to store and transport.

What is Fuel Efficiency?

Fuel efficiency is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel. It is often expressed as miles per gallon (mpg) in the United States and kilometers per liter (kpl) in other countries. A higher fuel efficiency rating means that a vehicle can travel further on less fuel. Fuel efficiency is important for several reasons. First, it can save consumers money on fuel costs. Second, it can help to reduce air pollution. Third, it can help to conserve natural resources.

There are several factors that can affect fuel efficiency, including the type of fuel used, the size and weight of the vehicle, the driving conditions, and the driver’s habits. For example, a vehicle that uses gasoline will typically have lower fuel efficiency than a vehicle that uses diesel fuel. A larger and heavier vehicle will also have lower fuel efficiency than a smaller and lighter vehicle. Driving in stop-and-go traffic or at high speeds will also reduce fuel efficiency.

Calorific Value

Calorific value is the amount of heat released when a substance is burned. It is usually expressed in kilojoules per kilogram (kJ/kg). The calorific value of a substance is determined by its chemical composition. Substances with a high calorific value, such as coal and oil, are good fuels because they release a lot of heat when burned. Substances with a low calorific value, such as water and wood, are not as good fuels because they release less heat when burned.

Calorific Values of Different Fuels

The below table lists the calorific value of different fuels:

Fuel	Calorific Value of Fuel
Cow Dung	8000
Wood	22000
Coal	33000
Biogas	40000
Diesel	45000
Kerosene	45000
Petrol	45000
Methane	50000
LPG	55000

Burning of Fuels Leads to Harmful Products

When we burn fuels, we release harmful products into the air. These products can cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and cancer. They can also damage our environment by causing acid rain and climate change.

There are many different types of fuels that we use, including coal, oil, and natural gas. Each type of fuel produces different harmful products when it is burned.

Coal

Coal is a fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. When coal is burned, it releases sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air. Sulfur dioxide can cause acid rain, which can damage plants and animals. Nitrogen oxides can cause smog, which can irritate our lungs and make it difficult to breathe. Particulate matter can also irritate our lungs and cause respiratory problems.

Oil

Oil is another fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of plants and animals. When oil is burned, it releases carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, which can lead to climate change. Nitrogen oxides can cause smog, which can irritate our lungs and make it difficult to breathe. Particulate matter can also irritate our lungs and cause respiratory problems.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of plants and animals. When natural gas is burned, it releases carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter into the air. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, which can lead to climate change. Nitrogen oxides can cause smog, which can irritate our lungs and make it difficult to breathe. Particulate matter can also irritate our lungs and cause respiratory problems.

In addition to these harmful products, burning fuels can also release other pollutants into the air, such as lead, mercury, and benzene. These pollutants can cause a variety of health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and neurological damage. We can all help to reduce the amount of harmful products that are released into the air by burning fewer fuels. We can do this by driving less, using public transportation, and walking or biking whenever possible. We can also use energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs in our homes.

Conclusion – What is Fuel and Fuel Efficiency?

Fuel is a substance that releases energy when burned. It is used to power vehicles, generate electricity, and heat homes and businesses. Fuel efficiency is a measure of how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel. It is typically measured in miles per gallon (mpg) in the United States and liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) in other parts of the world. The higher the mpg or lower the L/100km, the more fuel-efficient the vehicle. Improving fuel efficiency is important for several reasons. It can help to save money on fuel costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality. There are many things that drivers can do to improve their fuel efficiency, such as driving at a steady speed, avoiding jackrabbit starts and stops, and keeping their tires properly inflated.

People Also Read:

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FAQs on What is Fuel and Fuel Efficiency?

What is fuel?

Fuel is a substance that undergoes combustion to release energy, typically used to power engines or provide heat.

What are common types of fuels?

Common types of fuels include gasoline, diesel, natural gas, coal, and wood.

How is fuel efficiency measured?

Fuel efficiency is measured by the amount of energy produced per unit of fuel consumed, typically expressed as miles per gallon (mpg) for vehicles or efficiency percentages for appliances.

What factors affect fuel efficiency?

Factors affecting fuel efficiency include engine design, vehicle weight, aerodynamics, driving habits, and maintenance.

Why is fuel efficiency important?

Fuel efficiency reduces fuel consumption, costs, and environmental impact by minimizing emissions and conserving resources.

How can fuel efficiency be improved?

Fuel efficiency can be improved through technologies such as hybrid engines, aerodynamic designs, lightweight materials, and driving practices like maintaining steady speeds and proper vehicle maintenance.