Frequently Asked Questions - Coal and Petroleum
Coal is a fossil fuel that forms from the remains of plants and trees that lived millions of years ago and were subjected to heat and pressure.
Coal is formed through a process called carbonization, where dead plant material is buried, compacted, and transformed into coal over millions of years.
Coal is classified into four types: peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite, based on their carbon content and energy value.
Petroleum is formed from the remains of tiny marine organisms buried under layers of sediment and subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.
Petroleum refining produces various products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, lubricating oils, paraffin wax, asphalt, and more.
Coal is extracted from mines through methods such as open-pit mining, underground mining, and mountaintop removal mining.
Burning coal and petroleum releases pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, contributing to air pollution and climate change.
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and biofuels are considered alternatives to coal and petroleum to reduce environmental impact.
Conservation efforts include using energy-efficient technologies, promoting public transport, reducing wastage, and adopting cleaner energy sources.
Coal is used for electricity generation, industrial processes, and producing coke for steel manufacturing. Petroleum is used for fuels, plastics, chemicals, and more.