How is energy stored in coal?

Heat plus (c+o^2) = co^2. Hydrogen burns, producing water as a byproduct.

Energy is stored in coal primarily in the form of chemical energy. This energy is locked within the molecular bonds of carbon compounds present in coal, such as hydrocarbons and organic matter. When coal is burned, these bonds are broken, releasing energy in the form of heat.

Energy is stored in coal through a process called carbonization. During carbonization, organic matter, primarily plant material, undergoes decomposition under high temperature and pressure conditions over millions of years. This process results in the formation of coal, a fossil fuel composed mainly of carbon, along with small amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. The energy stored in coal is primarily in the form of chemical energy, which is released when coal is burned or combusted.

Coal contains energy that was originally captured from sunlight by plants through the process of photosynthesis. Over time, as layers of plant material accumulated and were subjected to geological processes such as pressure and heat, the organic matter underwent biochemical and physical changes, eventually transforming into coal deposits.

The chemical bonds between carbon atoms in coal molecules store potential energy. When coal is burned in the presence of oxygen, these chemical bonds are broken, releasing heat energy in the form of thermal energy. This thermal energy can be harnessed to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity in power plants. Alternatively, coal can be used for heating or industrial processes.

In summary, energy is stored in coal through the accumulation of organic matter over geological time, which undergoes carbonization to form coal deposits. The chemical energy stored in coal is released as heat energy when coal is burned, providing a valuable source of energy for various human activities.