Have you seen the movie KGF? It is about a gold mine called Kolar Gold Field (KGF). Millions of tons of gold were mined from KGF. Do you know that there is a story about ‘black diamonds’ that is even more thrilling than the KGF movie? This black stone is super expensive like a diamond. It is found 200 feet under the ground. Can you guess what is this black diamond? It is coal!

People in England gift coal to each other because it is lucky.
There is an interesting story behind the extraction of coal. Let us read it.
What is Coal?
Once upon a time, millions of years ago, there were thick forests on earth. These forests were situated on wetlands. Natural processes like floods buried the thick forests deep under the earth.

Do you know that there is very high pressure and temperature in the centre of the earth? This pressure turned dead trees and plants into peat. For hundreds of years, the peat didn’t receive any oxygen. As a result, many years later, the peat got converted into a black stone-like substance called coal. This process of dead fossils converting into coal is called Coalification. And this was how coal was formed. It is called a Fossil Fuel because it is made from dead fossils.

What is coal made of?

The process of coal formation is also known as carbonisation. Do you know why? This is because coal is 80% carbon. Coal is also made up of minerals and fossils.
What is coal used for?
Coal is used in these forms-

Coke– Coal is burned at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen to make coke. This process is also called the Destructive Distillation of Coal.

Coal Tar– When coke is made from coal, one of the by-products is coal tar. It is a thick smelly liquid mixture of 200 substances.

Coal Gas– It is also a by-product of making coke from coal. Coal is heated with oxygen and water at high temperatures and pressure to make coal gas.

Uses of Coke– Fuel to burn stove and furnaces, manufacture iron and steel.
Uses of Coal Tar– Making roads, dyes, perfumes, paint, anti-dandruff shampoo; treats skin problems like eczema and psoriasis.
Uses of Coal Gas– Fuel for industrial plants, street lighting (back in London in 1810).

Why is coal important?
You must have seen that coal is a super important resource used in producing heat and electricity, running trains, and manufacturing metals and cement. Coal is even used at home as cooking fuel. Do you know how the tasty barbeque chicken is cooked? It is cooked tandoors that use coal for burning.
Yet, coal can be harmful.

Why is that?
When coal is burned, many harmful and polluting gases like methane, carbon dioxide, and sulphur dioxide are released. These gases are too dangerous for the environment as they cause pollution and acid rain.

Now that you know all these facts about coal, would you switch to an electric oven over tandoor for your next house party?

Did you realize that this story also sums up the Class 8 Science Chemistry NCERT topic, Coal? Just like coal, petroleum is also a useful exhaustible natural resource. You can learn more about Coal and Petroleum on the SeekoG app. Find free online mind maps on the SeekoG app and learn about Coal and Petroleum in minutes. SeekoG mind maps help you in quick revision and study of any Class 8 Science CBSE chapter. Want to see how? Check out SeekoG’s free mind maps by downloading the SeekoG app. Let’s get learning!