Chapter 19. Chapter 19: Coal
How important is coal as an energy source...?
Interactive Study Guide
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Guiding Question 19.1
How important is coal as an energy source, and how is it used to generate electricity?
Why You Should Care
Electricity is one of the most important parts of our technological age. It powers our household devices, lights and heats our homes, powers our offices and factories, and even powers some cars and buses. Nearly 60% of the electricity in the United States comes from one fuel source: coal.
Coal is a solid fossil fuel, so we must burn it to create electricity. This releases heat, which we capture and use to spin turbines and generate electricity. As we will see, using coal has advantages and disadvantages, which we must weigh as we move into the 21st century.
Question Test Your Vocabulary
Choose the correct term for each of the following definitions:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| j2ampx5oraXF07tXuZPI3BleF6NO8DihDuhuxxCS0MI= | Substance formed when plant material is buried in oxygen-poor conditions and subjected to high heat and pressure over a long time. |
| N1dz4BrxmqMl+AYcYBY+iqGknmIWYBPz4G87XLrtBno= | Nonrenewable resources that were formed over millions of years from the remains of dead organisms. |
| XzsEADNDl+cDcpHS9jo+2SLbr7t/09p25SxPe0HgGTY= | The capacity to do work. |
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Question 19.1
3hvmLF0oSrJOof/Au+cLXMlfDImMvJgWpCVBZ9nWH4huh4B2TTaMCiWMtZRKatRlOKSq/am/J3ei6SPS892gjpKDcvbEoL0Lywn3FjIaO7/WMX57bJJWmZZ7clVcf5PSSmYPdSKnyeuKMiREmi3t4+qCs/s39CHgMoC1yFnsLpxDnZiDFRBl+pDuOzAFdGEf+t/bFtFOH6hIGEZCNE/AZbuLV4yYu8nV0mm9JYEAp/bOaYN0FGvRAlS5urpOPmhewojteA==999
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Question 19.2
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Question 19.3
YckwZDcLirRmlpO0x87PnO7w2yANtDpMAf+myb/EKWCtUhFCWwJY00Ii/3ejB2ZeQUfDle48mIfb0R5WVKfnGGCNvFoSM2hRn1hOaASE5q3y1puXhDGZKXXWksZ9sQK89Ss438fdcK3ZjJl/1VNNUUUBMqLRnhSs999
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Question 19.4
gMFmr/RxwbAqiwn/gOvJbNXB6474JxdrOboIxjVfePuwwpYRAYcSE+KVRY4st+WzSPIGrB2GF7va9FaV0e+wQxY6ZCpDCQbG1LnDRn5fLH/FC1FGzcqEdC5zXr3aJjkO5+uteh6Ihzt0+P03BnQRaF5fKnhMNwlUCoal is a lower-density fuel source, so compared to the other fossil fuels, it provides less energy per ton. For this reason, it is better suited for large, stationary energy generation. It is also cheaper than petroleum and natural gas, so its niche as an energy source in the making electricity makes more sense.