Coal was used for energy and was a fossil fuel. Why? Because it was believed to have formed by remains of dead plants that grew very long ago.
Coal was a substitute for oil. From 1850 to 1950 coal was important Until 1940 coal was world's chief commercial source of energy. It burns with great heat and has a lot energy. But when burned it creates smoke and the smoke pollutes the air. Coal can be used to turn generators making electricity and can be used to heat homes. It can also be used to power automobiles, but must be used in a liquid form.
This is a very expensive process, oil is a lot cheaper and cleaner than coal. Oil and coal are in short supply because we are using a lot. Most of the heat energy in coal is used to produce steam in boilers, the steam is used to generate electricity or operate steam engines. It is also used in the manufacture of steel, it is also used to heat homes and other buildings. And used to produce mechanical energy.
Coal was mined in Vancouver for about 100 years. Coal is close to the surface so that it can be mined, and when it is mined it is transported mainly by rail,truck, barge, and conveyor belt. It is very dirty. When miners mine in a coal mine if you breath in the fumes it will affect your lungs and kill you. One of the causes are the black lung caused by the coal dust. The largest mining industry is Wyoming. The united states produces 1/5 of the worlds coal, also produces over a billion short tons each year. The united states is the 4th largest exporter, and there is enough coal in the united states to last over 2 years. Acid rain was also caused by coal. When fossil fuels burn it releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is composed largely of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Coal provides 26 percent of all the commercial energy used in the world.
If fossil fuels run out things will change because we have grew dependent on fossil fuels and for heating homes we will use wood to heat our homes. Scientists believe that the fossil fuels may warm the earth hot enough to melt arctic and Antarctic ice caps, even thinking it might be to hot to support life. Now we have found other sources of energy. Since we changed from oil to coal, pollution problems will change but not eliminated. Coal is like a disaster waiting to happen. Also coal is like a silent killer. And who knows?
Coal might run out!!!
