How does coal form?

     The first step of forming coal began over a hundred million years ago. Prehistoric plants died and fell into swampy areas of West Virginia and across the country. Each plant's high energy electrons are used to make ATP which forms a high energy bond between CO2 molecules. With the absence of oxygen in the water, rather than rotting, the plants formed a substance called peat. Over periods of time, sediment would compact and place pressure on the peat, eventually converting it to lignite. With the higher concentration of carbon, coal takes on various names and uses. Lignite has a relatively low concentration of carbon and a low heat value. The most common form of coal is bituminous coal which is coked for use in the steel industry. Coke is a high carbon fuel used for heating in the steel industry. It lacks oxygen, and is ridden of the tar, gas and water. Anthracite coal is often used in heating of homes. It does not smoke much and has a high heat value. It has the highest carbon content of all types of coal.