apply concepts Coal is made from the remains of dead plants is coal a mineral explain your answer in a sixth grade standard
In a sixth-grade standard, coal is typically described as a fossil fuel rather than a mineral. While both minerals and coal are naturally occurring substances, they have distinct characteristics that differentiate them.
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Minerals are usually formed through geological processes that involve the cooling, solidification, and precipitation of magma or the evaporation of water containing dissolved minerals. Examples of minerals include quartz, feldspar, and calcite.
On the other hand, coal is formed from the remains of dead plants that lived millions of years ago. These plants were subjected to heat and pressure over significant periods, leading to their decomposition and the formation of peat, lignite, bituminous coal, and anthracite. Coal contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and varying amounts of sulfur. Due to its organic origin and the presence of complex organic compounds, coal is considered a fossil fuel rather than a mineral.
So, in summary, coal is not considered a mineral because it is not an inorganic substance with a crystalline structure. Instead, coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of dead plants subjected to heat and pressure over time.