 OBJECTIVE
Collect methane
gas from coal. Understand how coal could fuel a steamship like the
Eastland.
MATERIALS
One-half cup
of soft or bituminous coal; hammer; funnel; quart-size glass jar;
water; test tube; rubber band.
 PROCEDURE
Hammer the coal
into a coarse powder. Place your finger in the small end of the
funnel and pour the coal into the large end of the funnel, keeping
the coal in the funnel with your finger. Turn the jar upside-down,
and place it over the funnel. While holding the funnel tight against
the bottom of the jar, turn the jar upright and place it on a table.
Remove your finger and slowly fill the jar with water until the
funnel is completely covered, being careful not to wash the coal
out of the funnel. Then fill the test tube with water and place
it upside-down over the small end of the funnel, being careful not
to let any air into the test tube. Mark the water line on the test
tube with the rubber band. Observe the test tube over a two- to
three-day period as it fills with methane gas.
DISCUSSION
POINTS
After the tube seems to be filled, will the coal continue to give off methane gas?
How
can you tell?
Will the methane gas you collected burn? Remove the test tube and
put your thumb over the top. Light a match and turn the test tube
upright. Holding the match above the test tube, remove your thumb
and observe what happens.
What is one reason coal mining can be a dangerous occupation?
How can coal power a steamship?
Source: Science Activities in Energy, Secondary Edition, The Arizona
Energy Office of the Arizona Department of Commerce.
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