Coal
By: LeiAnnah Minter and Tyler Bowman
What is Coal?
- Coal is a Sedimentary rock that is made up of carbon and hydrocarbons
- Coal is found in underground layers of rock that have been created by decomposing plants
- It's made into a rock-like state due to heat and pressure that compresses it over a million years
Renewable or Nonrenewable
- Coal is a nonrenewable resource
- It can only be used once
- A limited supply
THREE MAJOR TYPES OF COAL
Lignite Coal
- often referred to as brown coal
- it's a soft brown combustible sedimentary rock that is formed from naturally compressed peat
Anthracite Coal
- is a hard, compact variety of coal that has a high luster
- It has the highest carbon content the fewest impurities, and the highest calorific content of all three.
Peat Coal
- It's a natural product intermediate between peat and lignite
- It's also an artificial fuel made by carbonizing peat
How does Coal effect the environment?
- Water that runs through underground mines to gather chemicals and debris
- Acidic water then will run out into outside streams and fields
- Pollutes water but could possibly lead to death of animals and deplete other outside resources used to live
Brief History
- Coal was first found 3,000 years ago in China and was discovered much later in other countries, including the United States
- United States started using Coal as an energy resource in the early 1300's
What are the Major uses of Coal?
- It's used in steel work production
- Used for electric power
- Also used in transportation issues because it's easier
Why should we use Coal?
- Coal is a clean burning fuel
- It heats well and keeps a concise temperature
- Coal is found in the United States, also easy to get