1. Coal Notes

2. What is Coal?
Formed from decomposed vegetation, which is turned into solid brittle rock when it is compressed over a long period of time.
5-10 ft of decomposed material makes about 1 ft of coal
The most abundant fossil fuel
Less than half the price per million BTU than oil and natural gas.

3. Coal Fast Facts
1 lb. of coal can power watt light bulbs for an hour
Should last for about 250 years at the current rate of use
Use decreased during the 40’s and 50’s because oil and gas were easier to use
Use has been increasing since the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973

4. Oil Embargo
News Cast

5. Coal Fast Facts Con’t
It is now used mainly for the generation of electricity
In 1997 it was responsible for 31% of the nation’s energy consumption
Mostly transported by train or barge
China is the major producer and the U.S. is second

6. Take out your notes…
Try to draw a diagram of what a coal powerplant looks like…

7. How Coal Generates Electricity
Coal Factory Animation