The burning of fossil fuels results in the conversion of these resources into water, carbon dioxide, and ash. However, the mass of fossil fuels does not completely disappear from Earth. A small fraction of this mass is released into the atmosphere as hydrogen or used in space missions. Despite the existence of 1.5 trillion tonnes of fossil fuel reserves on Earth, this represents a negligible amount in comparison to the overall mass of the planet. In fact, it is less than one ten-billionth of one per cent of Earth’s weight.
To put this into perspective, losing an eyelash results in proportionally losing 500 times more body weight than burning fossil fuels does to Earth’s mass. This highlights the insignificant impact that using all fossil fuels on Earth would have on its weight.
If you have any science-related questions or concerns, you can contact us via email at questions@sciencefocus.com or through our social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Remember to include your name and location when submitting your inquiries for a prompt response.
For more fascinating science facts and information, visit our ultimate fun facts page for additional mind-blowing discoveries that will expand your knowledge and inspire you to explore further!