Comprehensive Study Guide on Coal Formation, Uses, and Classification
Key Definitions and Words to Know
Swamps: Wet, muddy ground covered in water and thick plants.
Coal: A black rock that can burn. It formed underground over millions of years from dead plants and is used for energy.
Non-Renewable Resource: A natural resource that cannot be replaced once it is used up, because it takes millions of years to form.
The Step-by-Step Formation of Coal
Trees Fall: Millions of years ago, trees died and fell into wet swamps.
Rotting Plants Pile Up: Thick layers of dead and decaying plants filled up the swamps.
Buried by Sand and Mud: The climate changed and new trees stopped growing. Rivers washed layers of sand and mud over the dead plants.
Changing into Coal: The heavy weight of the mud and sand squeezed out all the water and slowly pressed the plants into coal over millions of years.
Why Coal is a Non-Renewable Resource
Used Up Quickly: We burn coal much faster than nature can make it. Once our coal reserves are burned, they are gone forever.
Important for South Africa: South Africa relies heavily on coal to generate electricity, make petrol, and run big factories.
Uses of Coal
Fuel & Energy: Making electricity, heating homes, and making petrol.
Industry: Making steel, cement, and tar for paved roads.
In the Home: Used in common items like soaps, linoleum floors, and medicines.
Chemicals: Used to make paint, bug killers (pest sprays), and explosives.
Food Products: Used in food preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and baking powder.
Classroom Activities Summary
Activity 7.2 (Ordering Coal Formation):
Trees die and fall into swamps.
The swamp fills with rotting trees.
Sand and mud bury the rotting trees.
Heavy sediment squeezes and turns plant matter into coal over millions of years.
Activity 7.3 (Sorting Uses of Coal): Sort items made from coal into five groups: Fuel, Food, Chemicals, In the home, and Industry.