Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of coal?

The choice that identifies an aspect not characteristic of coal is accurate because coal is primarily composed of carbon, along with varying amounts of hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. While hydrogen is indeed one of the components found in coal, its presence is not as significant as carbon, which is the main element that contributes to coal's energy content.

Coal is classified as a fossil fuel due to its formation from ancient plant materials that have undergone prolonged geological processes. It's widely utilized in electricity generation, thanks to its combustibility and energy output. Additionally, the combustion of coal is associated with environmental impacts, particularly air pollution from emissions like sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, which is another reason why focusing on the hydrogen content as the main component is misleading. Overall, the emphasis on hydrogen as the predominant element is what makes this particular statement incorrect.