1. Ashfield Direct Learning
Coal
Ashfield Direct Learning
Ks4 Energy
Natalie Rusk

2. What is coal? The fossil fuel “coal” made when;
material from plants (organic material) is crushed
covered by layers of sedimentary rock.
Subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years, in the absence of oxygen,

3. What is coal? This process takes millions of years.
It is a fossil fuel.
It is a non-renewable energy source which means it will eventually run out.

4. What are the advantages of having coal?
It is relatively cheap and sometimes easy to obtain.
Estimates suggest there are over 100 year’s supply of coal left.
Coal fired power stations are flexible in meeting demand and have a quicker start up time than their nuclear equivalents.

5. What are the disadvantages of having coal?
Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a gas which increases the greenhouse effect and causes increased global warming.
For the same amount of energy released, coal produces more carbon dioxide than oil and oil produces more carbon dioxide than natural gas.
There is no feasible way of preventing the very large amounts of carbon dioxide involved from entering the atmosphere.

6. What are the disadvantages of having coal?
Burning most types of coal and oil also releases sulphur dioxide, a gas that helps to produce acid rain.
The sulphur can be removed from these fuels before they are burnt or the sulphur dioxide removed from the waste gases before they enter the atmosphere, though this increases the cost of the electricity that is generated.

7. More disadvantages of having coal
Sulphur dioxide causes acid rain.
The sulphur stored in the fuel dissolves in water to form sulphuric acid.
This acid kills trees and plants

8. Generating Electricity using Coal
To generate electricity, coal must be burnt to produce heat energy…
…which boils water to make steam…
…which drives the turbines…
…which are attached to a generator.