Carbon monoxide in coal mines is primarily produced by which process?

Carbon monoxide in coal mines is primarily produced by which process?

• A. Infiltration
• B. Evaporation
• C. Combustion (Fire)
• D. Photosynthesis

Answer: (C)

Carbon monoxide in underground coal mines mainly comes from burning carbon-containing material. When coal or coal dust heats up and oxidizes with limited oxygen, the combustion is incomplete, producing carbon monoxide instead of just carbon dioxide. That smoldering or fire-like condition is common in mines and creates the toxic gas. Infiltration refers to air or gases entering the mine, not producing CO; evaporation is a liquid-to-gas change, not a source of CO; photosynthesis is a plant process that consumes CO2 and makes oxygen, not a source of carbon monoxide in mines.

Carbon monoxide in underground coal mines mainly comes from burning carbon-containing material. When coal or coal dust heats up and oxidizes with limited oxygen, the combustion is incomplete, producing carbon monoxide instead of just carbon dioxide. That smoldering or fire-like condition is common in mines and creates the toxic gas. Infiltration refers to air or gases entering the mine, not producing CO; evaporation is a liquid-to-gas change, not a source of CO; photosynthesis is a plant process that consumes CO2 and makes oxygen, not a source of carbon monoxide in mines.