Carbon vs. Coal — What's the Difference?

A chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6, known for its ability to form a vast number of compounds.

A major source of energy and a contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions.

A common element in the Earth's crust and in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Consists mainly of carbon, along with variable quantities of other elements.

A non-metal that can exist in different allotropes, including diamond and graphite.

Classified by degrees of hardness and heat content, such as anthracite and bituminous.

The basis of organic chemistry and a key component of fossil fuels.

Mined from the Earth and used in various industries, including steel production.

Essential for the carbon cycle, which supports terrestrial life.

A combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock formed from plant matter.

Carbon (from Latin: carbo "coal") is a chemical element with the symbol C and atomic number 6. It is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds.

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.

The chemical element of atomic number 6, a non-metal which has two main forms (diamond and graphite) and which also occurs in impure form in charcoal, soot, and coal.

A combustible black or dark brown rock consisting chiefly of carbonized plant matter, found mainly in underground seams and used as fuel

Carbon dioxide or other gaseous carbon compounds released into the atmosphere, associated with climate change

Provide with a supply of coal

Symbol C An abundant nonmetallic element that occurs in many inorganic and in all organic compounds, exists freely in amorphous, graphite, and diamond forms and as a constituent of coal, limestone, and petroleum, and is capable of chemical self-bonding to form an enormous number of chemically, biologically, and commercially important molecules. Other significant allotropes include fullerenes and nanotubes. Atomic number 6; atomic weight 12.011; sublimation point 3,825°C; triple point 4,489°C; specific gravity of amorphous carbon 1.8 to 2.1, of diamond 3.15 to 3.53, of graphite 1.9 to 2.3; valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.

A natural dark brown to black graphitelike material used as a fuel, formed from fossilized plants and consisting of amorphous carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds.

A carbon-containing gas, notably carbon dioxide, or a collection of such gases, especially when considered as a contributor to the greenhouse effect

A piece of this substance.

A sheet of carbon paper.

A glowing or charred piece of solid fuel.

A carbon copy.

Charcoal.

Either of two rods through which current flows to form an arc, as in lighting or welding.

To burn (a combustible solid) to a charcoal residue.

A carbonaceous electrode in an electric cell.

To provide with coal.

(uncountable) The chemical element (symbol C) with an atomic number of 6. It can be found in pure form for example as graphite, a black, shiny and very soft material, or diamond, a colourless, transparent, crystalline solid and the hardest known material. Category:en:Carbon

To take on coal.

(countable) An atom of this element, in reference to a molecule containing it.

(uncountable) A black or brownish black rock formed from prehistoric plant remains, composed largely of carbon and burned as a fuel.

A sheet of carbon paper.

(countable) A type of coal, such as bituminous, anthracite, or lignite, and grades and varieties thereof, as a fuel commodity ready to buy and burn.

A carbon copy.

(countable) A piece of coal used for burning this use is less common in American English

A fossil fuel that is made of impure carbon such as coal or charcoal.

(countable) A glowing or charred piece of coal, wood, or other solid fuel.

Carbon dioxide, in the context of climate change. Category:en:Climate change

Charcoal.

A carbon rod or pencil used in an arc lamp.

(intransitive) To take on a supply of coal (usually of steam ships).

A plate or piece of carbon used as one of the elements of a voltaic battery.

(transitive) To supply with coal.

(informal) carbon fiber.

(intransitive) To be converted to charcoal.

To cause (someone) to receive a carbon copy of an email message.

(transitive) To burn to charcoal; to char.

An elementary substance, not metallic in its nature, which is present in all organic compounds. Atomic weight 11.97. Symbol C. it is combustible, and forms the base of lampblack and charcoal, and enters largely into mineral coals. In its pure crystallized state it constitutes the diamond, the hardest of known substances, occuring in monometric crystals like the octahedron, etc. Another modification is graphite, or blacklead, and in this it is soft, and occurs in hexagonal prisms or tables. When united with oxygen it forms carbon dioxide, commonly called carbonic acid, or carbonic oxide, according to the proportions of the oxygen; when united with hydrogen, it forms various compounds called hydrocarbons. Compare Diamond, and Graphite.

(transitive) To mark or delineate with charcoal.

A carbon rod or pencil used in an arc lamp; also, a plate or piece of carbon used as one of the elements of a voltaic battery.

A thoroughly charred, and extinguished or still ignited, fragment from wood or other combustible substance; charcoal.

A sheet of carbon paper.

A black, or brownish black, solid, combustible substance, dug from beds or veins in the earth to be used for fuel, and consisting, like charcoal, mainly of carbon, but more compact, and often affording, when heated, a large amount of volatile matter.

A carbon copy.

To burn to charcoal; to char.

An abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds

To mark or delineate with charcoal.

A thin paper coated on one side with a dark waxy substance (often containing carbon); used to transfer characters from the original to an under sheet of paper

To supply with coal; as, to coal a steamer.

A copy made with carbon paper

To take in coal; as, the steamer coaled at Southampton.

Fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period

A hot glowing or smouldering fragment of wood or coal left from a fire

Burn to charcoal;

Supply with coal

Take in coal;

Yes, carbon exists in many forms, including diamond, graphite, and as part of numerous organic and inorganic compounds.

Carbon is a chemical element essential to life and found in many forms, whereas coal is a fossil fuel composed mainly of carbon.

Coal is an environmental concern due to its significant contribution to carbon dioxide emissions, air pollution, and the environmental damage caused by coal mining.

Carbon plays a crucial role in the Earth's ecosystems, being a key element in the carbon cycle which supports terrestrial life.

The combustion of coal releases pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates, which can significantly affect air quality.

Coal mining can affect local communities through environmental degradation, health impacts due to air and water pollution, and economic dependencies.

Coal contributes to climate change primarily through the release of carbon dioxide when it is burned for energy.

Carbon is used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, plastics, metal production, and in the manufacture of carbon fiber materials.

Coal is extracted through mining, while carbon can be captured from the atmosphere or industrial processes to mitigate climate change.

Coal's economic significance lies in its use as a major source of energy and as a raw material in steel production.

Initiatives to reduce coal consumption include investments in renewable energy, carbon pricing mechanisms, and policies aimed at phasing out coal-fired power plants.

Yes, environmentally friendly alternatives to coal include renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Challenges include the economic costs, infrastructure changes needed, and ensuring energy security and reliability during the transition.

Carbon capture technology can reduce the impact of coal usage by capturing carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants and storing them underground.

The prospects for coal in a future energy mix are declining due to environmental concerns, the rise of renewable energy sources, and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.