Future fuels – question bank

An inquiry approach is a method often used in science education. The question bank provides an initial list of questions about exploring our energy options and places where their answers can be found.

The article Future fuels – introduction has links to further resources and student activities.

Q. How is the Sun involved in energy production?

• Future fuels – introduction

• Renewable and non-renewable energy sources

• Using solar energy

Q. How do we measure energy?

• What is energy?

Q. What are fossil fuels?

• Non-renewable energy sources

• Non-renewable resources

Q. How is oil formed?

• How oil and gas are made

• Oil formation

Q. Why is the understanding of rock formation important in finding oil?

• In search of oil

• Mapping rocks onshore

Q. What technologies are used to convert energy from biomass material into fuel?

• New Zealand's biomass resources

• Anaerobic digestion

• Conversion technologies

• Woody residue uses

Q. Can a nuclear power plant explode like an atomic bomb?

• Nuclear energy

Q. Why is carbon important?

• Carbon cycle

• Carbon cycle – interactive

Q. What is the food versus fuel debate?

• Non-renewable energy sources

• Food versus fuel

• Clean and green fuels

Q. Are all biofuels equally clean and green?

• Clean and green fuels

• Life cycle analysis

• The Bioenergy Options project