| Coal is a fossil fuel. It is used world wide for | | | | for its concentrated coal reserves. |
| generating power and is today one of the largest | | | | Coal deposits were fully ignored in US till industrial |
| sources of power generation. Coal occurs in coal | | | | revolution touched the nation in the end of 18th |
| beds in the form rocks. The process of its formation | | | | century. Exploitation of coal beds in Pennsylvania and |
| begins when layers of plant and animal matter | | | | Virginia by legendary figures helped to beat coal |
| accumulate under a water body. Black color of coal is | | | | production of British in early 1900s.Power production |
| due its high content of carbon. Apart from carbon it | | | | was started in US using warmth energy from coal in |
| also contains other elements like sulphur, hydrogen, | | | | early 1900s giving US World head position in removal |
| oxygen and nitrogen. Combustible property of coal is | | | | and supply of coal. |
| due to presence of sulphur and oxygen in high | | | | Today coal is used for many purposes. It is used as |
| content. | | | | a solid fuel for producing electricity and heat. Coal is |
| Coal is classified into different types based on | | | | burned in a furnace which has a water boiler, water in |
| percentage of volatiles existing in it. Most regular | | | | the boiler when turns into steam spins turbines and |
| types that are institute are peat coal, sub-bituminous | | | | turns generators to generate electricity. 90% of coal |
| coal, lignite, graphite, bituminous coal; steam coal and | | | | extracted is used for producing electricity and 40% |
| anthracite. All types of coals cannot be used for | | | | of power in the world is generated from coal.14% of |
| producing warmness and electricity. | | | | total power generated is consumed by US. More than |
| Coal was in employ as fuel in china from many | | | | 60% of capacity consumed by China is generated |
| centuries and was explored by the British only in | | | | from coal. However it is inferred from the statistics |
| delayed 18th century. Chinese used coal for heating | | | | that coal consumption is constantly increasing with |
| purposes, boiling water, welding weapons and others. | | | | the increase in citizens. It is estimated that coal |
| Coal was among the elements that were dug from | | | | reserves are abundant in US and can last for more |
| the earth as it was observed to make more hotness | | | | than 200 years, provided rate of consumption |
| than that of charcoal. Huge traveler and explorer | | | | remains unshakeable. |
| Marco Polo referred them as Black rocks that burn in | | | | Coal, though main origin of power production has |
| his writings which was dismissed by his fellow men | | | | many adverse effects on environment. Coal releases |
| stating it as a fancy. Later in 18th century England | | | | carbon dioxide when burnt which is a main factor |
| became concentrated origin of Iron and Coal which | | | | that is contributing to worldwide warming. |
| started industrial revolution. In the same century, | | | | Contamination of air and water ways, destruction of |
| people started using it for different purposes like | | | | homes with fly ash spills are some adverse effects |
| boiling water, to run steam engines, in factories, ships | | | | of coal. |
| etc. British evolved as a commercial head in the world | | | | |