COAL: HOW TO DO RESEARCH &

PRESENT INFORMATION

Think about 2 things…• Learning about a Topic

– Each of you will conduct research about a natural resource that is used or could be used to create electricity.

– You will compare your resource with COAL, which I am presenting to you today.

– Through my presentation you will be able to answer the 10 questions

• Learning to Research a Topic– Start with what you know and have

used before….• Google• Wikipedia

– Try something new• EBSCO• GALE

COAL (this is where you learn about coal while learning how to do

research!)• How was/is coal formed?

What is it made of?– Coal is formed when

organic matter (living things) is buried and decomposes. Over long periods of time, the HEAT & PRESSURE associated with geologic activity turns the matter into coal.

– “coal" A Dictionary of Biology. Elizabeth Martin and Robert Hine. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Arapahoe High School. 6 April 2009 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t6.e917>

• Search for specifics….– Coal

• Too many results and often results not specific enough to answer your question

– Coal Formation• Fewer results and more specific

information• Information Presentation

– Lots of words = BORING!

COAL (try again)

“coal formation" Kentucky Department of Natural Resources; Mining Education; Arapahoe High School. 6 April 2009 <http://www.minepermits.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/06BC5AA8-EF18-4762-8585-C517CD57E71B/0/Ed_coal_formation.jpg>

How many different types of coal are there?

The 4 Main Categories:- Lignite- Sub-Bituminous- Bituminous- Anthracite

Why does this matter?

As TIME, HEAT & PRESSURE Water content Carbon percentage

As the carbon percentage The energy content of the coal

"coal"  A Dictionary of Biology. Elizabeth Martin and Robert Hine. Oxford University Press, 2008. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. Arapahoe High School. 6 April 2009 <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t6.e917>

How is coal used to make electricity?

you BURN it to turn water into steam….

the steam spins a turbine

the turbine turns a generator

which generates the movement of electrons!

Electrons moving along a conductive material is ELECTRICITY!

“spinning turbine" The BBC; GCSE Bitesize; Arapahoe High School. 6 April 2009 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/images/20_the_national_grid.gif

Renewable or NOT?

• Technically speaking, coal is a renewable resource when all of the biological and geological processes are present, which hasn’t really happened in the last 230 million years!

• So the verdict is….

•NOT

Show me the $$$$• The price of coal is

based on:• Mining• Transportation • Use

• The price of coal is NOT based on:– Acid rain– Human illness– Climate change

Environmental Impacts

http://socioeconomic.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/strip_coal_mining3.jpg

Coal miners &

Health Effects

Environmental Impacts

http://www.whoi.edu/cms/images/oceanus/2005/10/smoke-stacks_15044.jpghttp://qazse.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/smoke-stacks3.jpg

Environmental Impacts

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Acid_rain_woods1.JPG/800px-Acid_rain_woods1.JPG

Where in the WORLD is coal found?

NOT MUCH

MUCH

Where in the US is coal found?

In the EAST… -the Appalachian Mtns. - the Mississippi River Valley In the WEST… - the Rocky Mtns.In the NORTH - not much in Alaska

“coal distribution" The Energy Information Administration”; Arapahoe High School. 6 April 2009 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/images/20_the_national_grid.gif

In the US…. Coal is king!

“electric generation" The Energy Information Administration”; Arapahoe High School. 6 April 2009 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/images/20_the_national_grid.gif

Popularity of COAL

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/coal.html#WhereWeGetCoalhttp://www.cleanenergyaction.org/html/co_coal.html

The largest coal mines in the world are found in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Montana and the Dakotas!In Colorado….coal accounts for over 80% of electrical generation!

Trends…• The use of coal dates

back over 1,000 years

• Because coal is inexpensive, as the cost of other resources increases, the use of coal is expected to increase.

• The Hopi Indians used coal to bake their pottery.

• The 1st coal-fired power plant was built in 1901!