Natural Resources Unit Test
Coal is a very useful rock that formed over millions of years from the remains of plants. Is coal a mineral? (1 point)
• No, coal is not a mineral because coal can be burned to produce electricity and heat.
• Yes, coal is a mineral because all rocks are nonliving solid minerals.
O No, coal is not a mineral because coal is made of dead plants.
• Yes, coal is a mineral because all rocks that are useful to people are minerals.
The correct answer is: No, coal is not a mineral because coal is made of dead plants.
To determine whether coal is a mineral, we need to understand the definition of a mineral. A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure.
Coal is not a mineral because it is not an inorganic substance. It is made primarily of organic matter, which means it is derived from once-living organisms, in this case, plants. Coal is formed from the remains of plants that have been subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.
Therefore, the correct answer is: No, coal is not a mineral because coal is made of dead plants.