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Question

Why are coal and petroleum so versatile?

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Solution

Coal and petroleum are exhaustible natural resources as their availability is limited in nature. Coal and petroleum are used mainly as fuel. Coal is used as fuel, petroleum products are used to run vehicle and for many other purposes. Coal and petroleum are known as fossil fuels since they are formed from remains of living organism.

There are two types of natural resources, Inexhaustible Natural Resources and Exhaustible Natural Resource.

Inexhaustible Natural Resources: Resources which do not exhaust and which are available in plenty in nature are known as inexhaustible natural resources. For example; air, sunlight, etc.

Exhaustible Natural Resources: Resources which get exhausted and are not available in nature in plenty and are known as exhaustible natural resources. They take longer to get replenished. For example; coal, petroleum, forest, minerals, etc.

Coal is considered as fossil fuel as it is formed because of carbonization of dead remains of living organism. It is mined from earth and processed to obtain many useful products, such as coal, coke, coal tar, etc.

Petroleum: The word petroleum is used for both naturally occurring crude oil and other petroleum products which are obtained after refining of crude oil, such as petrol, diesel, etc. Petrol and diesel are highly consumed fuel today as these are used to run vehicles.

Natural gas is naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas. Natural gas is a mixture of methane, higher alkanes, carbon dioxide, etc. Natural gas is found in deep underground rock formation as fossil fuel. It is one of the most important fuels.

Some Natural Resources are limited: Petroleum, coal, natural gas, etc. are natural resources but available in limited amount. Thus, it is necessary to use them with care.


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