COAL AND PETROLEUM | Class 8 Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 3 min read
COAL AND PETROLEUM – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of COAL AND PETROLEUM from Class 8 Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
Introduction
Human beings use a variety of materials to meet their basic needs. These materials can be broadly classified into two categories: natural resources and man-made resources. Natural resources are those that are obtained directly from nature without any human intervention, such as air, water, soil, and minerals. Man-made resources are those created by humans using natural resources, such as paper, plastic, and metals shaped into tools or machines.
Natural resources themselves are further classified based on their availability and renewability. Inexhaustible natural resources are those present in unlimited quantities and are not likely to be exhausted by human activities; examples include sunlight and air. Exhaustible natural resources, on the other hand, have limited quantities and can be depleted by human use. Examples include forests, wildlife, minerals, coal, petroleum, and natural gas.
Coal and petroleum belong to the category of exhaustible natural resources and are also known as fossil fuels because they are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals over millions of years. These fuels are widely used as sources of energy and raw materials in various industries. However, due to their limited availability and environmental impact, their use needs to be managed carefully.
This chapter focuses on understanding the origin, formation, extraction, uses, and environmental concerns related to coal and petroleum, along with the importance of conserving these valuable resources.
📊 Diagram: Can we use all our natural resources forever? (See figure_1)
🧪 Activity: Activity 3.1: Make a list of various materials used in daily life and classify them as natural or man-made.
🔗 Connection: Leads to understanding the formation and importance of specific fossil fuels like coal.
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the advantages of using CNG and LPG as fuels?
Advantages of using CNG and LPG as fuels include:
- They are cleaner fuels compared to petrol and diesel, producing fewer pollutants and less smoke.
- They burn more efficiently, providing better mileage.
- They reduce air pollution and are better for the environment.
- They are safer to handle and store compared to petrol and diesel.
- They are economical and cost-effective in the long run.
2. Name the petroleum product used for surfacing of roads.
The petroleum product used for surfacing of roads is bitumen.
3. Describe how coal is formed from dead vegetation. What is this process called?
Coal is formed from dead vegetation through a process called carbonization. When plants die, they accumulate in swampy areas and get buried under layers of soil and sediments. Over millions of years, due to high pressure and temperature, the dead plant material undergoes physical and chemical changes, losing moisture and volatile substances, and gradually transforms into coal.
4. Fill in the blanks. (a) Fossil fuels are __________, __________ and __________. (b) Process of separation of different constituents from petroleum is called __________. (c) Least polluting fuel for vehicle is __________.
(a) Fossil fuels are coal, petroleum and natural gas. (b) Process of separation of different constituents from petroleum is called fractional distillation. (c) Least polluting fuel for vehicle is CNG.
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