What is coal?

Answer 1

"Coal is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. Coal is a readily combustible black or brownish-black rock. It is a sedimentary rock, but the harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rocks because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure. It is composed primarily of carbon along with assorted other elements, including sulfur. It is the largest single source of fuel for the generation of electricity world-wide, as well as one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions, which is considered the primary cause of global warming. Coal is extracted from the ground by coal mining, either underground mining or open pit mining (surface mining)."

Answer 2

Coal (IPA: /ˈkəʊl/) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. Coal is a readily combustible black or brownish-black rock. It is a sedimentary rock, but the harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rocks because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure. It is composed primarily of carbon along with assorted other elements, including sulfur. It is the largest single source of fuel for the generation of electricity world-wide, as well as one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions, which is considered the primary cause of global warming. Coal is extracted from the ground by coal mining, either underground mining or open pit mining (surface mining).

Answer 3

Coal is essentially a fossil fuel, formed from the remains of ancient trees, plants, etc. It can either form in-situ", that is, in peaty swamps and marshes; alternatively "detrital coals" can form when the plant and tree remains are washed away by rivers and re-deposited in lakes or lagoons elsewhere.

The key to the formation of coal is the preservation of the carbonaceous material as carbon in an anoxic (oxygen-starved) environment. This requires a very wet, reducing environment; aided by rapid sedimentation. Otherwise, the plant material would oxidize to carbon dioxide.

The amount of time taken for coal to form does vary somewhat, depending on the rate of sediment burial and the geothermal gradient. But I'd happily state that it's impossible for a coal to form in a mere 50,000 years (as suggested by some of our biblically-minded friends). The Carbon14 dating argument is a complete fabrication and myth. The micro-structure of coal is highly porous and adsorbative. When coal comes into contact with the air (by mining it, or by the coal being exposed at the earths surface) it readily adsorbs atmospheric CO2, including C14. Therefore you cannot use the C14 technique to measure the age of coals.

Most of the coals mined in the UK are of Carboniferous age, 300 to 350 million years old, and can be reasonably accurately dated by using radiometric dating on igneous rocks that are found within the same sequence. Coals of Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary age are also commonplace in Europe.

Answer 4

Coal is formed from buried vegetation.
Contrary to some of the answers above, it does *not* take millions of years to form. In teh right conditions (temp/pressure/etc) it can form quickly.

Indeed all coal contains carbon 14 which puts a maximum age limit of around 50,000 years. (Beyond this time no carbon 14 is left to measure.)
The chap below is wrong - coal does not take a long time to form, and carbon 14 is found in coal - and also in diamonds!
http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/618
http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/4650/

And note that he acknowledges that coal was formed by conditions just like a flood!

The coal and oil formations are testament the the Global Flood.

Check out some fo the facts about coal here.
http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3007/

Answer 5

Coal is a fossil fuel formed by trapped plants and animals under earth,millions of years ago.

Answer 6

Dead trees, compacted under the earth for thousands if not millions of years. Carbon based, as everything reverts to carbon over time, even us humans. Diamonds are coal which has been compacted and heated.

Answer 7

coal is a fossil fuel that was forming millions of years ago from any thing that died with carbon in it (all plants and animals) and as the bio matter was condensed and pressurised coal was slowly formed

Answer 8

its and organic rock that took millions of years to form. It consist of dead plants and animals whiched have died along time ago. and when there body is crushed by all the sediments piled on top its turns into a organic rock called coal.

Answer 9

fossilised wood & plants

Answer 10

What we used to burn on the fire in the 'good old days'!