What is coal primarily composed of?

Coal is primarily composed of black carbon, which is the primary component that gives coal its characteristic color and properties. Black carbon consists of carbon that has formed from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biological materials. This composition makes coal an important fossil fuel, as it can be burned for energy, releasing the energy stored in its carbon-rich structure.

While graphite is a form of carbon, it does not represent the composition of coal itself. Moreover, ore refers to naturally occurring solid materials from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted, and silica is a compound made of silicon and oxygen but is not a primary component of coal. Therefore, the composition of coal being mainly black carbon is essential for understanding its function and usage as a major energy source.