Coal: Our natural Resource Eckley Miners’ Village Coal: Our natural Resource (Words in parenthesis are instructions, not to be read aloud.)

Vocabulary Fossil Fuel Coal Peat Lignite Anthracite Bituminous (Start by clicking on Fossil Fuel to go over the definitions.) Vocabulary Fossil fuel – a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. Coal – a black, solid combustible (can explode) rock formed by the partial breaking down of vegetable matter without free access to air and under the influence of moisture and pressure; there are four steps in the process of coal formation – peat, lignite, anthracite, and bituminous Peat – the 1st step in the process of coal formation; brown, crumbly, lightweight, and spongey; usually formed out of dehydrated plant roots, leaves, and bark; originally used in many countries in Europe, such as Ireland, as a fuel source. Today, its is primarily used to improve soil on lawns, golf courses, greenhouses, etc. Lignite – the lowest rank of coal which is formed from peat but has the lowest heat content. Anthracite – hard coal; has high carbon content; burns cleaner and longer than bituminous coal because it has fewer impurities; looks metallic; formed due to the heat and pressure from the formation of the mountains of Pennsylvania. Bituminous – soft coal; most common type of coal; found primarily in Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and other places around the world.

Fossil Fuel – a natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the past from plant and animal remains. Pressure (After reading the definition and while students are writing it down…) So fossil fuels are formed when animal, or plant remains under go pressure over time. Fossil fuels such as coal are formed. (Click on Coal) Coal

Coal a black, solid combustible (can explode) rock formed by the partial breaking down of vegetable matter without free access to air and under the influence of moisture and pressure. (Read definition, then read words below) Three-hundred million years ago, the earth was covered with huge swampy forests of giant ferns, reeds, and mosses. Some of these plants died and fell into the swamp waters and new ones grew in their place. This happened in a cycle until there was a thick layer of dead plants rotting in the swamp. A change in the earth’s surface washed in dirt and water stopping the plants from rotting even further. The cycle did not stop. Plants kept growing, dying, and falling until a separate layer formed. Millions of years helped create many layers one on top of the other. Heat and pressure changed the plant layers pushing oxygen out and leaving carbon behind. These decayed, or rotted, plants, leaves, and bark became Peat. (Click on picture of peat.)

Peat the 1st step in the process of coal formation; brown, crumbly, lightweight, and spongey. It is usually formed out of dehydrated plant roots, leaves, and bark; originally used in many countries in Europe, such as Ireland, as a fuel source. Today, its is primarily used to improve soil on lawns, golf courses, greenhouses, etc. The next stage in the process of coal formation is Lignite coal. (From here, you just click to next slide.)

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Lignite the lowest rank of coal which is formed from peat but has the lowest heat content. With added heat and pressure, bituminous is formed.

also known as soft coal, is the most common type of coal. Bituminous also known as soft coal, is the most common type of coal. It is commonly found in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Bituminous coal looks smooth at first glance, but actually has 3 layers – vitrain, clarain, and fusain. Vitrain is glass-like wood. Clarain is dull and grayish and is formed out of plant debris. Fusain is charcoal-like and is chemically changed wood. After bituminous, anthracite coal can be formed.

Anthracite hard coal; looks metallic; formed due to the heat and pressure from the formation of the mountains of Pennsylvania. Anthracite coal is used for heating homes. It is also found almost entirely in Pennsylvania. It has high carbon content; burns cleaner and longer than bituminous coal because it has fewer impurities.

Coal in Pennsylvania Most of the coal in the United States is bituminous. A large percentage of anthracite coal in all of the world is found in Pennsylvania.

So, what is coal used for… During the 1800’s and early 1900’s, coal was the main source of energy for industry and transportation. For example, coal was used to power steam engines, melt iron ore, and produce heat for homes or businesses. Coal is still used to generate energy and heat homes today.

Coal Fun!! The Coal Family Bingo (and Study Buddy) (Now your class can take part in some of the activities. Some of these activities are linked above, but more can be found on our website www.eckleyminersvillage.com.) The Coal Family Bingo (and Study Buddy) Part of the Colliery - Connect the Dots (pre-visit activity)