NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum

Edited By Shivani Poonia | Updated on Jul 19, 2025 03:06 PM IST

Have you ever thought where coal and petrol come from, which are the most important sources of energy? How do dead plants from millions of years ago turn into fuel? Could we survive without coal and petroleum? The NCERT solutions for Class 8 Chapter 3 Science explore two of the most important natural resources, coal and petroleum. These are non-renewable energy resources that power industries, transportation, and even our homes. These are known as fossil fuels because they are formed from the remains of ancient animals and plants buried millions of years ago.

This Story also Contains

Download PDF for NCERT Solutions of Class 8 Science Chapter 3
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 ( Exercise Questions with Answers)
Practice questions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3
Approach to Solve Questions of Class 8 Science Chapter 3
Topics and Subtopics Covered in the NCERT Textbook
NCERT Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 3: Key Concepts
Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3
NCERT Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 3: Key Features
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter-Wise
NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Subject-Wise
NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum

Through the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum, students are going to learn about the formation of coal and petroleum, different types of energy resources, uses of these energy resources, and their contribution to fulfilling our daily energy needs. Also, students are going to learn about the environmental impact of burning coal and petroleum, and why it is important to look for renewable alternative energy sources for the future.

These NCERT solutions provide a valuable resource to students for improving their performance in board exams. Our subject matter experts ensure that students can gain maximum knowledge of the chapter through these solutions. These NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum are designed by our experienced subject experts in a very systematic and comprehensive way to develop a clear understanding of complex problems through a series of solved examples and conceptual explanations.

Download PDF for NCERT Solutions of Class 8 Science Chapter 3

Students can download the NCERT solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 exercise questions PDF for free. These solutions are designed to help you understand the fundamental concepts and solve textbook questions with ease.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 ( Exercise Questions with Answers)

You can access the complete NCERT solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 exercise questions, which are given below.

Question 1. What are the advantages of using CNG and LPG as fuels?

Answer:

Advantages of using CNG and LPG-

These are less polluting and cleaner fuels.
They can be burnt directly.
Transportation of these fuels is easily done through the pipeline system.
CNG and LPG have high calorific values.

Question 2. Name the petroleum product used for surfacing of roads.

Answer:

These days, bitumen is a petroleum product that is used to surface the roads. Previously, we used coal tar for the same purpose.

Question 3. Describe how coal is formed from dead vegetation. What is this process called?

Answer:

About 300 million years ago, due to natural calamities like flooding, storms, and earthquakes, the dense forests got buried under the soil. They were compressed as more soil deposited over them. Deep in the soil, they were exposed to high pressure and high temperature, and dead plants and animals slowly converted into coal. This process of conversion is called carbonisation.

Question 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 __________.

Answer:

(a) Fossil fuels are coal and natural gas.
(b) The process of separating of different constituents from petroleum is called refining.
(c) The least polluting fuel for a vehicle is CNG (compressed natural gas).

Question 5.(a) Tick True/False against the following statements.

Fossil fuels can be made in the laboratory. (T/F)

Answer:

(False) Dead plants and animals were buried inside the earth, where they were exposed to high pressure and temperature. Under this condition, they slowly convert into Fossil fuels.

Question 5(b) Tick True and False against the following statements

(b) CNG is a more polluting fuel than petrol. (T/F)

Answer:

False, it is less polluting and a cleaner fuel.

Question 5 (c). Tick True/False against the following statements.

Coke is almost a pure form of carbon. (T/F)

Answer:

True,

Question 5 (d). Tick True/False against the following statements.

Coal tar is a mixture of various substances. (T/F)

Answer:

True,

it is a mixture of about 200 substances.

Question 5 (e). Tick True/False against the following statements.

Kerosene is not a fossil fuel. (T/F)
Answer:

False

Question 6. Explain why fossil fuels are exhaustible natural resources.

Answer:

To regenerate, fossil fuels required millions of year. Deep inside the earth, they need high pressure and high temperature and it cannot be obtained in the laboratory. Their rate of conversion from dead vegetation to coal is very slow as compared to their rate of consumption. Therefore, they will exhaust in the near future.

Question 7. Describe characteristics and uses of coke.

Answer:

Characteristics of coke-

tough
porous
black substance

Uses of coke-

In the manufacture of steel
In the extraction of metals

Question 8. Explain the process of formation of petroleum.

Answer:

Petroleum was formed from the dead animals and plants, which live in the sea. when they died, their bodies settled at the bottom of the sea and covered by the layers of soil. After a million years, absence of air, high temperature and pressure transformed these dead organisms into petroleum and natural gas.

Question 9. The following Table shows the total power shortage in India from 1991–1997. Show the data in the form of a graph. Plot shortage percentage for the years on the Y-axis and the year on the X-axis.

S.No.	Year	Shortage(%)
1	1991	7.9
2	1992	7.8
3	1993	8.3
4	1994	7.4
5	1995	7.1
6	1996	9.2
7	1997	11.5

Answer:

X-axis = 1 unit = 1 year

Y-axis = 1 unit = 2% shortage

Don’t forget to study the story of coal, as it's a very interesting part of chapter 3. You must be thinking about why it is important to know about these resources, and the answer is, a massive increase in the use of nonrenewable resources due to the increased population.

Now, the point of the issue is that due to high demand and an increase in the population, nonrenewable resources are in danger as they can be exhausted. So, how to decrease their usage as well as how to maintain their quantity is mentioned in this chapter.

Another important topic which you will study in this chapter is natural gas; it is a very important fossil fuel because it can be easily transferred through pipes. Natural gas is stored under high pressure as compressed natural gas (CNG). It is now being used as a fuel for transport vehicles because it is less polluting.

After going through it properly, it will be easy for you to answer why coal and petroleum are called non-renewable natural resources. What are the advantages of natural gas?

So, try to attempt the NCERT questions. In case you have any queries, refer to the NCERT solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 exercise questions, which will help you to score more marks in the exam.

Practice questions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3

Some important practice questions related to the Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Question Answers are given below. These questions have a high probability of being asked in future exams.

Question 1: What is Coal? Also, explain the formation of Coal.

Answer:

Coal is a sedimentary rock of black or brownish black colour. Coal is formed from the remains of plants and animals that were buried under a layer of soil, under very high temperature and pressure conditions over millions of years.

Question 2: What is Petroleum, and how is it formed?

Answer:

Petroleum is a liquid composed of Hydrocarbons; it is a dark and viscous liquid. Petroleum is formed from the remains of tiny marine organisms buried under a layer of sediments and subject to high temperature and high-pressure conditions.

Question 3: What is the refining of petroleum?

Answer:

Refining is the process of separation of different components of crude oil, which leads to the formation of petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc. This is done through the process of fractional distillation.

Question 4: What is Natural Gas, and its main components?

Answer:

Natural gas is a fossil fuel consisting mainly of methane. It is a clean fuel as compared to coal and petroleum, and is mainly used in cooking, power generation, and heating.

Question 5: Explain Carbonization?

Answer:

Carbonization is the process of conversion of dead plants into coal under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions over millions of years.

Approach to Solve Questions of Class 8 Science Chapter 3

Sometimes problems seem very difficult, but once we understand the basic rules and strategy, it becomes very easy to solve all the questions related to that particular topic. We can follow the steps given below to the NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum.

Understand the structure of the chapter and break the chapter into manageable sections.
After that, try to learn and memorize key concepts of the chapter, such as refining petroleum, fossil fuels, and what natural resources are. How did coal and petroleum form? etc.
Write all the definitions on a separate sheet to solve definition-based questions.
Make a comparative study chart for clarity and better understanding.
Solve NCERT examples and practice.
Make suitable short notes for quick revision.
Timely revise your notes.
Practice as many questions as asked in previous board exams and solve mock tests.

Topics and Subtopics Covered in the NCERT Textbook

All the topics and subtopics covered in the NCERT solutions for Class 8 Chapter 3 Science are listed below:

Inexhaustible Natural Resources
Exhaustible Natural Resources
Coal
Story of Coal
Coke
Fossil fuel
Coal Tar
Coal Gas
Petroleum
Refining of Petroleum
Natural Gas
Some Natural Resources are Limited

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 3: Key Concepts

Some important key concepts related to Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Question Answers are given below:

Energy

Energy can be derived from natural resources and transferred as heat or work.
There are different types of energy, including mechanical, chemical, thermal, nuclear, solar, wind, sound, and electrical energy.
Energy follows the laws of conservation of Energy means it converts from one form to another.

Natural Resources

Natural resources are those resources that are provided by the Earth, and they are categorized into two types:

Inexhaustible or renewable natural resources
Exhaustible or non-renewable natural resources

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels like coal and natural gas are non-renewable resources formed from the decomposition of organic matter.

Energy Stored in Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels store derived energy from the decayed remains of animals and plants that existed over millions of years.

Energy Utilization from Fossil Fuels

Approximately 40% of the energy generated from fossil fuels is used by industries.
The transportation sector consumes around 24% of this energy.
About 6% of fossil fuel energy is utilised by farms.
Approximately 30% of the energy is used for domestic and other purposes.

Coal Formation

Coal is a black-coloured fossil fuel extracted from the ground and used for various purposes. The formation of coal begins with peat.

Peat is a dark, fibrous fuel made up of partly decomposed plant matter.
It represents the initial stage in the formation of coal.

Coal forms when dead vegetation transforms under high pressure and temperature. This process is known as carbonization.

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum offer step-by-step answers to all textbook questions, helping students grasp core concepts, improve accuracy, and boost their exam confidence.

By referring to these solutions, students can easily complete their homework
These solutions also help to clarify the concepts used to solve problems.
These solutions help students to gain in-depth knowledge of the concepts.
Students can score well in exams by applying the structured approach given here to solve questions.
Solutions provided here align with the NCERT exam pattern.

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Science Chapter 3: Key Features

Some Key features related to Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Question Answers are given below:

1) Comprehensive coverage of concepts

A detailed answer to all the questions is provided here.
An explanation of every question is provided in a detailed manner.

2) Helps in the clarity of Concepts

NCERT Solutions are explained in such a way that not only provide detailed solutions to the questions but also help in the clarity of the concept.
Important formulas and definitions are also provided to form a basic understanding of the concept.

3) Simple Language

Solutions are explained in a very clear and concise way.
Language conciseness and clarity help to understand the concept very easily.

4) Useful for exam preparation

Most of the questions in exams are asked directly from the NCERT textbook.
These solutions help students score well on the final exams.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter-Wise

Besides NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum, chapter-wise solutions are given below:

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 1 Crop Production and Management

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 2 Microorganisms: Friend and Foe

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 3 Coal and Petroleum

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 4 Combustion and Flame

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 5 Conservation of Plants and Animals

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 6 Reproduction in Animals

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 7 Reaching the age of Adolescence

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 8 Force and Pressure

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 9 Friction

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 10 Sound

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 11 Chemical Effects of Electric Current

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 12 Some Natural Phenomena

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Chapter 13 Light

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Subject-Wise

NCERT Subject-wise solutions are given below:

NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus

The NCERT books and syllabus links for class 8 are given below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are coal and petroleum renewable resources?

Coal and petroleum are non-renewable resources of energy because there is a finite supply of these resources. They take millions of years to form, and we are using them at a much faster rate than they can be replenished.

2. What is petroleum refining?

Petroleum Refining: It is the process of separating crude oil into its different compounds, based on their boiling points. This is done by a process called fractional distillation. Each fraction can be further processed to produce a variety of products.

3. What are the topics covered in the NCERT solutions for Class 8 Chapter 3 Science?

Topics covered in the NCERT solutions for Class 8 Chapter 3 Science:

Exhaustible and Inexhaustible Natural Resources
Coal, Petroleum, and Natural Gas
Fossil Fuel, Coal Tar and Coal Gas
Refining of Petroleum

4. What are the main uses of coal?

Coal's primary uses include:

Electricity Generation: Burning coal is used in power plants to produce steam, which drives turbines connected to generators.
Industrial Processes: Coal is used in the production of cement, steel, and other industrial materials.
Heating: Coal is used for residential and industrial heating in some regions.

5. What are the environmental impacts of extracting and using petroleum?

Extracting and using petroleum also have significant environmental impacts:

Air Pollution: When we burn petroleum-based fuels, they release air pollutants like NOx, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter, contributing to smog and respiratory problems.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Burning of petroleum-based fuels releases CO, $C O_{2}$ , contributing to climate change.
Oil Spills: Oil spills from pipelines and tankers can damage the marine ecosystem.
Water Pollution: Oil extraction and refining processes can also pollute water sources.

Also Read

NCERT Syllabus for Class 8 Hindi 2025-26: Download All Chapters PDF Here

NCERT Syllabus for Class 8 2025-26, Download All Subjects Latest Syllabus PDF

NCERT Books for Class 8 Maths 2025-26: Download PDF Here

NCERT Books for Class 8 Social Science 2025-26 - Download PDF

NCERT Books for Class 8 Science 2025-26 PDF - Download Now

NCERT Books for Class 8 English 2025-26: Download PDF

NCERT Books for Class 8 2025-26: Download All Subjects PDF

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 12 Some Natural Phenomena

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 11 Chemical Effects Of Electric Current

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 13 Light

NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Science Chapter 10 Sound

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 8 Force and Pressure

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science Chapter 4 Combustion and Flame

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