Final answer:
Coal is a complex solid material derived primarily from plants that died and were buried hundreds of millions of years ago. It is a combustible sedimentary rock with high carbon content. Coal is classified into different types based on its carbon content and heat energy production.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coal is a complex solid material derived primarily from plants that died and were buried hundreds of millions of years ago and were subsequently subjected to high temperatures and pressures. It is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock with a high amount of carbon and hydrocarbons. Coal is classified into four main types, or ranks depending on the types and amounts of carbon present and on the amount of heat energy the coal can produce, including anthracite, bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite.