Mining Methods
What type of mining involves removing layers of soil and rock to expose coal seams?
Surface mining.
What happens to water in a boiler when coal is burned at a power plant?
It becomes steam.
what do you call the minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period at a steady rate?
Base Load.
What can coal mining and burning do to water quality?
Degrade / worsen.
Is coal a cheap energy source
( True or False )
True
What type of mining invloves digging tunnels to reach coal deposits deep within the earth?
Underground mining.
What device spins the steam generated from burning coal?
A turbine.
What is the average cost of coal per megawatt-hour ( MWh) in the U.S?
$50-$70
Coal mining operations can lead to what negative effects on the ecosystems?
Habitat destruction/loss.
Thousands of years
How is coal transported to power plants after being mined?
Train or Truck.
This is what a turbine is connected to, which produces electrictiy.
A generator.
Compared to wind or solar, coal is considered this type of power source.
Reliable.
A drawback of coal contributing to climate change.
Greenhouse gas emissions.
These countries have the largest coal reserves in the world.
( Atleast name 2 )
Russia, China, and the United States
What method is used in surface mining to extract coal from steep slopes?
Contour mining.
What is coal made from?
Ancient plants.
This is the measure of the percentage of carbon in coal, indicating its quality.
Carbon content.
Burning coal releases this pollutant, which contributes to acid rain.
Sulfur Dioxide ( SO2 )
How long does it take for coal to form?
Millions of years.
What process of restoring land after being minded includes replanting vegetation.
Reclamtion.
How much carbon does coal generate?
80-90 percent.
36% of global electricity is generated from coal.
Coal combustion produces this solid waste, which can contaminate soil and water.
Ash
What are the ashes of the coal mainly made into?
( Alliant Energy )
Concrete