Reaction Rates 

By Dennis Truong

Chemical Equation of burning coal.

C + O   --- >  CO     

2                              2

2C + O ---> 2CO 

2

Change the reaction Rate

Reaction rates increase if the surface area of the fuel is increased.  Crushing the coal into a powder increases the reaction rate.

How is it used for?

Coal is burned to produce electrical energy.  It is the leading supplier of this energy.  It is very cheap and is expected to be used for years to come.  Coal is also used in barbecuing. 

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U519OiMYHDE

Interesting Fact

 Coal is a fossil fuel.  Coal is impure carbon and usually contains certain elements such as sulfur, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.  The burning of coal is most electrical energy comes from.  The CO  gases emitted from the burning is causing global climate change.  It is used so much today because it is still the cheapest way to produce energy.  Coal will be used be for many more years.

2

References

• http://www.ucc.ie/academic/chem/dolchem/html/dict/combust.html
• http://www.ehow.com/info_8539265_four-speed-up-chemical-reaction.html
• http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.ca/2010/08/coal-introduction-and-facts.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U519OiMYHDE