| Term | Definition |
| Energy | The ability to cause change |
| Nonrenewable energy resources | Earths energy resources being used faster than natural Earth can process or replace. |
| Fossil Fuels | Is a nonrenewable energy resource. Such as coal, oil, and natural gas that form from plants and other organisims which were buried millions of years ago. |
| Coal | Sedimentary rock formed from compacted and tranformed remains of ancient plant matter. |
| Oil | Liquid hydrocarbon also known as petroleum |
| Hydrocarbons | Compounds containing hydrogen and carbon atoms |