Which shows the correct order of steps in the formation of coal? a. layers of dead plants pile up → plant matter is buried by rocks and dirt → dead plants fall in swamp → plant matter is compressed and is exposed to heat → coal forms b. plant matter is compressed and is exposed to heat → dead plants fall in swamp → layers of dead plants pile up → plant matter is buried by rocks and dirt → coal forms  c. plant matter is buried by rocks and dirt → dead plants fall in swamp → layers of dead plants pile up → plant matter is compressed and is exposed to heat → coal forms d. dead plants fall in swamp → layers of dead plants pile up → plant matter is buried by rocks and dirt → plant matter is compressed and is exposed to heat → coal forms

D. Dead plants fall in swamp → layers of dead plants pile up → plant matter is buried by rocks and dirt → plant matter is compressed and is exposed to heat → coal forms

Explanation:

Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements; chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal is formed if dead plant matter decays into peat and over millions of years the heat and pressure of deep burial converts the peat into coal.

Coal is a type of fossil fuel which consists of carbon as a chief component along with other elements like hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen. Coal is formed by the decomposition of the plant matter inside the shallow waters of swamps. The hard woody parts of the plants and trees remains undegraded and get buried with the pile of rocks and dirt layers. The plant matter get exposed to the heat present in the geosphere which leads to the burning of the matter to such an extent that it forms the hard black woody matter which is called as coal.