Question

What percentage of carbon does peat coal contain?
A. 40
B. 78
C. 68
D. 88

Answer 1

Hint: We know coal is a precious mineral with high content of carbon, volatile matter and various organic wastes which is decomposed layer by layer by the action of heat, pressure and time which is why it takes millions of years for coal formation.

Complete answer:
We know that coal is used to generate energy and it is formed under the layers of earth, the carbon content in coal increases as the depth and the time of the coal formed increases. on the basis of the amount of carbon, ash, moisture, hydrogen and oxygen content present in the coal it is divided into various ranks or types.
The types of coal are lignite, bituminous coal, anthracite and peat. Peat is the decay of all the organic waste formed after decomposition from millions of years, it is the main constituent of the coal that is to be formed. It contains a low carbon content less than 40-55%. It is impure and raw in nature. It is rich in moisture and contains surplus volatile matter. Under the course of heat, pressure and time this peat gets converted to lignite and bituminous giving anthracite after further compression and decomposition. Anthracite thus formed has the highest content of carbon approximately 80-90% it has no moisture and very little volatile matter. These various types of coals are used in different purposes of burning and production of coke and gas.
Hence we can conclude that peat coal contains the least amount of carbon comparatively to the other types of coal which is less than 40-55%.

The correct option is A.

Note: Peat coal is not actual coal but a basic organic foundation of coal. When peat is placed under high pressure and heat, it changes into coal. Peat is a soft organic decomposition of decay of plants and animals.