How coal is formed? What is the use of coal and why we use it and why it takes too many years to form?

Coal is formed by the decomposition of dead plants and trees buried under the earth over millions of years ago. It is of four types based on carbon content, namely, peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite. The purest variety of coal is anthracite. It contains 92-98% of carbon content.

Millions of years ago, large plants grew in swamps. When the plants died, they went to the bottom of the swamp and got buried under layers of dirt and rock. As more and more stuff built up, so did heat and pressure which transformed the dead plants into coal. There are four stages in coal formation: peat, lignite, bituminous and anthracite. The stage depends upon the conditions to which the plant remains are subjected after they were buried – the greater the pressure and heat, the higher the rank of coal.

Coal     Carbon content in %

Anthracite       86-92

Bituminous      70-86

Lignite             65-70

Peat                  <60

Coal mining is the process of extraction of coal deposits from the surface of Earth and from underground. It is part of the mining industry. Coal is used as a resource for making electricity. Coal is used as a fuel for both domestic and industrial purposes.