How are fossil fuels named based on their properties?

Fossil fuels are named based on their physical state, source of origin, and carbon content.

Fossil fuels are categorised into three main types: coal, oil, and natural gas. These names are derived from their physical state and the way they are formed. Coal, a solid fossil fuel, is formed from plant remains that have been compacted and heated over millions of years. Oil, a liquid fossil fuel, is formed from tiny sea creatures that died and sank to the ocean floor, where they were covered by layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure. Natural gas, a gaseous fossil fuel, is often found alongside oil deposits and is formed under similar conditions.

The names of specific types of these fuels often reflect their source of origin or specific properties. For example, peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite are all types of coal named based on their carbon content and the degree of pressure and heat they have been subjected to. Peat has the lowest carbon content and heat exposure, while anthracite has the highest.

Similarly, crude oil can be classified into different types such as light, heavy, sweet, and sour. Light and heavy refer to the oil's density and viscosity, with light oil being less dense and less viscous than heavy oil. Sweet and sour refer to the oil's sulphur content, with sweet oil having less sulphur than sour oil.

Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, but it can also contain other gases such as ethane, propane, and butane. These are often separated from the natural gas and used for different purposes, such as heating or cooking.

In summary, the names of fossil fuels and their subtypes are largely based on their physical state (solid, liquid, or gas), their source of origin (plant or animal), and their specific properties (such as carbon content, density, viscosity, and sulphur content).