ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Coal

Coal is a type of rock that comes from plants that lived a very long time ago, before even the dinosaurs. These plants would soak up the sunlight and carbon dioxide from the air and turn it into energy, using the process of photosynthesis.

Over time, when these plants died, their remains sank deep into the ground and got covered by layers of mud, sand, and rocks. This pressure and heat over time turned these plant remains into coal.

Coal is a fossil fuel, which means it is a source of energy that comes from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals. It can be used to make electricity, heat homes, fuel cars, and power factories.

However, coal is also a nonrenewable resource, meaning we can't make more of it once we use it up. And it can cause pollution and harm to the environment if not used carefully. So, it's important to use it wisely and find alternate sources of energy, like solar and wind power.