Why is coal not considered a moneral
Coal is not considered a mineral because it does not meet the criteria to be classified as one. Minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a specific chemical composition and a crystalline structure. They are formed by geological processes, such as the cooling and solidification of magma or the deposition of minerals from water solutions.
Coal, on the other hand, is a sedimentary rock formed from the remains of ancient plants. It is primarily composed of organic matter, specifically carbonized plant material. Unlike minerals, coal does not have a definite chemical composition or a crystalline structure. It is formed through biological processes rather than geological ones.
Although coal is often classified as a fossil fuel, it is not considered a mineral because it lacks the essential characteristics of a mineral as defined by mineralogy.