What is coal and how is it formed? Compare the use of coal in the United States and China. What are the major advantages and disadvantages of using coal as an energy resource?
a. Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of plants that lived and died millions of years ago. It is formed through a process of burial, compression, and heating of organic materials.
b. In the United States, coal is primarily used for electricity generation and as a source of industrial fuel. In China, coal is also used for electricity generation, but it is also a major source of heat and energy for industrial processes.
c. The major advantages of using coal as an energy resource include its relatively low cost, abundance, and reliability. However, the major disadvantages include its environmental impact, contribution to air and water pollution, and its role in climate change due to the release of greenhouse gases when burned.
d. Coal is a non-renewable resource, meaning it takes millions of years to form and is being used faster than it can be replaced. Additionally, the extraction and use of coal can have negative impacts on local ecosystems and communities.
