Question

Identify the Correct sequence of formation of coal

• A. Lignite $\rightarrow{}$ Peat $\rightarrow{}$ Bituminous $\rightarrow{}$ Anthracite
• B. Peat $\rightarrow{}$ Lignite $\rightarrow{}$ Bituminous $\rightarrow{}$ Anthracite
• C. Anthracite $\rightarrow{}$ Bituminous $\rightarrow{}$ Lignite $\rightarrow{}$ Peat
• D. Bituminous $\rightarrow{}$ Anthracite $\rightarrow{}$ Lignite $\rightarrow{}$ Peat

Hint:

Think of it as squeezing water out and concentrating carbon.
Peat is like a wet sponge of plant material.
Squeeze it a bit, you get Lignite.
Squeeze harder, you get Bituminous.
Squeeze the hardest, you get Anthracite, which is almost pure carbon.
The sequence is alphabetical if you remember the four main types: A, B, L, P. The process goes in reverse alphabetical order of rank: P $\rightarrow{}$ L $\rightarrow{}$ B $\rightarrow{}$ A.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the correct sequence of coal formation, known as coalification, which represents the increasing rank of coal.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Coalification is the process by which plant matter is converted into coal under the influence of heat and pressure over millions of years.
The process involves a progressive increase in carbon content and a decrease in moisture and volatile matter.
The sequence of coal ranks, from lowest to highest, is as follows:
1.

Peat: This is the initial stage.
It is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation or organic matter.
It has high moisture content and low carbon content.
2.

Lignite: With increased pressure and temperature, peat is transformed into lignite (also called brown coal).
It is the lowest rank of coal.
3.

Bituminous Coal: Further burial, heat, and pressure convert lignite into bituminous coal (also called soft coal).
This is a large and important category of coal, often subdivided into sub-bituminous and bituminous.
4.

Anthracite: This is the highest rank of coal (also called hard coal).
It forms from bituminous coal under the highest heat and pressure.
It has the highest carbon content, the lowest moisture, and burns with the cleanest flame.
The correct sequence of formation is therefore Peat $\rightarrow{}$ Lignite $\rightarrow{}$ Bituminous $\rightarrow{}$ Anthracite.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct sequence of coal formation is Peat $\rightarrow{}$ Lignite $\rightarrow{}$ Bituminous $\rightarrow{}$ Anthracite.
This corresponds to option (B).