AY Honors/Coal/Answer Key

Coal

Skill Level

1

Year

2024

Version

16.01.2025

Approval authority

North American Division

1

What is coal?

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal is a type of fossil fuel, formed when dead plant matter decays into peat and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial.

2

Read the flood story in Genesis 6-8 and relate the events as outlined in the story to how coal was formed. How does the Genesis flood account compare to other theories on the formation of coal and discuss in small groups assumptions that each theory needs to make and your opinion on the theories.

You can read Genesis chapters 6-8 online at BibleGateway.

3

Why is coal called a fossil fuel? What are other fossil fuels and why is it important to conserve fossil fuels and explore renewable fuels/energy sources? How much does your local electric company rely on fossil fuels?

4

Define the following units of heat:

4a

British Thermal Unit (BTU) (imperial system of a unit of heat)

BTU stands for British thermal unit. The British thermal unit is a measure of heat, which is a form of energy. It was originally defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

4b

Kilojoule (kJ) (metric system of a unit of heat)

The joule is the unit of energy that is equal to the amount of work done when a force of one newton displaces a mass through a distance of one meter in the direction of that force. It is also the energy dissipated as heat when an electric current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second.

5

List three of the major uses of coal today and three major historic uses of coal.

Some of the major uses of coal today include:

• To generate electricity in power plants by thermal power generation (water to steam)
• In cement
• Paper production
• Ceramic manufacture
• Iron and steel production

6

List three advantages and three disadvantages of using coal as a fuel.

7

List four major environmental impacts of coal use. What methods can be used to mitigate them?

8

Describe at least three surface mining methods and three subsurface mining methods that are used to extract coal. Research and identify the type of coal mining method nearest to your home.

9

Discuss three major hazards of underground coal mining and what is done to reduce them.

10

Collect pictures or specimens and be able to identify the four main types of coal:

10a

Lignite coal

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10b

Anthracite coal

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10c

Subbituminous coal

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10d

Bituminous coal

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11

Know the characteristics of each of the four main types of coal, including: percentage of carbon; color range and appearance features; primary uses; BTU (kJ) content; areas where mined; and other facts of interest.

Lignite coal

Lignite has between 25-35% carbon. It is also known as brown coal. It has the less percentage of carbon and the lowest BTU value with up to 70% water. It is used mainly for electrical generation power plants.

Anthracite coal

Anthracite coal has the highest percentage of carbon (86-98%) with the lowest volatile matter. It is a hard and brittle coal with a black lustrous look. It produces around 13,000 – 15,000 BTU’s. It is used to make coke, which is used for steel making.

Subbituminous coal

Subbituminous coal has between 35 -45% carbon. It has a soft dull (lighter) black appearance. It produces around 8,500–13,000 BTU’s. Its low-to-moderate heating values is mainly used for electrical generation power plants.

Bituminous coal

Bituminous coal has between 45-85% carbon. It is blocky in appearance with alternating layers of dull and shiny layers. Its BTU range is between 11,000-15,000. It is used for both steel making and electrical generation power plants.

12

Obtain at least one specimen of coal.

12a

Study and record as many observations as you can concerning the specimen(s) you have, including color, hardness, flakiness, etc.

12b

Using the knowledge gained in this honor, identify the coal type.

12c

Try lighting a chunk of coal with a lighter or match. How easily can the specimen(s) be lit in comparison to other combustible materials?

12d

Grind the material into a powder and repeat the experiment. What were the results?

13

Do one of the following:

13a

Tour a coal mine and have a group discussion on what you learned.

13b

Visit a coal mining museum and have a group discussion on what you learned.

13c

If there is no coal mine or museum nearby, watch a video on the mining of coal and have a group discussion on what you learned.

14

Memorize Romans 8:28. Discuss how bad events in your life, or of someone you know, has provided fuel for better things, in much the same way that the flood in Genesis created coal.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
— Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

References