CoalWhere Does it Come From?

COAL

Wh

at is

Coal?

A b

lack ro

ck W

hat is in

coal?

Comes from the remains of plants that have been compressed over millions of years in the Earth.

It is about 75% carbon Also may contain sulfur, hydrogen,

oxygen, nitrogen, and other substances.

Where is it?

So, if coal is buried under millions of years of dirt and water, how do we get it out of the Earth?

Min

ing

Surfa

ce M

inin

g

Shaft M

inin

g

Miners use earthmovers to remove surface of the earth to get the coal.

If coal is close to the surface of the Earth they will use this method.

Miners like this method because it is not as expensive.

Unfortunately, it also destroys the land at the surface.

Miners dig tunnels into the Earth. Then they use tools and explosives to

remove the coal from the rock of the Earth.

Some mines are 1,000 feet deep.

What Happens Then?

After the coal is removed from the Earth it is loaded into mining cars and brought to the surface.

Then it is cleaned Then it is loaded on to trains for

transportation

Whew…

Let’s take a break and watch a video. › Return to the website and watch “How do

they do it: coal mining?”

Review

Let’s review what we know so far. › Coal is a black rock made up mostly of

carbon› It lies beneath millions of years of Earth › Miners work to remove it from the Earth › It is a source of energy for us › Top mining states are Montana, Wyoming,

Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania

Vocabulary

Carbon: a chemical element found in coal as well as plants and animals

Fuel: a substance that is used for heat or energy

Mine: a place where miners work to get certain materials out of the Earth

Nonrenewable: can be used up—there is a limited supply

Where?

Where is coal mined?

Why do we want the coal?

Why is coal important, and why do miners work so hard to bring the coal to the surface? › The main use of coal today is for electricity. › Plants burn the coal to create steam, the

steam powers machines that create electricity.

It is also used to help transform iron into steel.

Coal heated to make coke coke can be heated to high temperatures changes iron ore to iron iron is used to make steel

The high temperatures give steel strength and flexibility

It can then be made into things like bridges and automobiles.

Is Coal the only thing we mine?

No! We get many things through mining.

Let's Do Some Cyber Prospecting!› Click on the link and when you arrive,

choose a state and click on it to see what they mine. Don’t forget to fill in question 3 as you prospect.

Types of Fuel

Here are some other types of fuel. Make sure and jot them down in your journal. › We have already learned about coal

Do you remember that coal is a nonrenewable substance?

› Other nonrenewable fuels oil and natural gas.

› Other fuels Ethanol Petroleum

You be the judge…..is coal good or bad?

PROS › We have a large

supply › It is cheaper to

make coal into an energy source than other substances

› Provides energy for plants and electricity for homes

CONS › Releases pollutants

into the air › Coal ash can be

highly toxic › Mixes with oxygen

when it burns and creates carbon-dioxide, which increases Earth’s temperatures

Did you know?

The Hopi Indians were the first people to use coal in North America.

Thomas Edison built a coal-fired electric generating plant in 1882.

Credits

http://www.eia.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=coal_home-basics#coal_mining-basics

http://www.msha.gov/KIDS/MINING.HTM http://

www.eulesstx.gov/recycling/steel_making.htm

http://science.discovery.com/videos/how-do-they-do-it-coal-mining.html