Coal

Coal deposits formed about 300 million years ago from plant matter. The energy in these deposits was from photosynthesis.

Simplified Photosynthesis and Combustion

Photosynthesis

• CO₂ + H₂O + Sunlight (Radiation Energy) \to C_XH_YO_Z + O₂

Combustion

• C_XH_Y + O₂ \to CO₂ + H₂O + Heat Energy

Note that these reactions reverse each other.

Steam Electricity Generation

Most coal is converted to electricity

• Combustion: Chemical energy to heat energy
• Evaporation and Expansion: heat energy to gas kinetic energy (“boiling water”)
• Turbine: gas kinetic energy to rotational kinetic turbine energy
• Generator: kinetic turbine energy to electricity

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