Final answer:
Coal was the primary fuel during the Industrial Revolution due to its abundance, low extraction cost, and high energy capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coal was the primary fuel during the Industrial Revolution for several reasons. First, Britain had abundant coal deposits, concentrated in northern England, which happened to be the heart of the existing British textile industry. The availability of coal in close proximity to the textile industry made it a convenient and cost-effective fuel source.
Second, coal was cheap to extract. Although coal mining was dangerous and difficult, Britain had the necessary infrastructure and technology to efficiently extract coal.
Finally, coal was cheap to burn. It provided a high energy capacity and was readily available in large quantities, making it an ideal fuel for steam engines and other industrial applications.