Natural gas
Natural gas is a mixture. It consists mainly of hydrocarbons. The main component is methane. Natural gas is often found in the ground together with petroleum.
Most natural gas is burnt directly to produce energy. It burns with a clean blue flame. It causes little pollution.
The main uses of natural gas are to produce electricity, cook and heat buildings. It is also used as fuel for natural gas vehicles such as trucks, buses, boats, cars, excavators, big rigs, and airplanes. It is used to make fertilizers for crops.
When natural gas is burned in a power station, it heats a tub of water. Steam from the hot water rushes up and spins a turbine that turns a generator to make electricity.
Natural gas is also used to make many plastic products. It is also the most common way to make pure hydrogen, used in fuel cells.
