Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs with Answers

Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs are one of the most important practice tools for students preparing for school exams and competitive quizzes. This chapter of Class 8 Science introduces fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas, their formation, uses, and conservation. Practicing multiple choice questions, assertion-reason questions, case-study based MCQs, fill in the blanks, and true/false will help students strengthen concepts and score higher. On this page, you will find Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs with answers, PDF download, and online test practice based on the latest CBSE syllabus.

Coal is a black or brown rock that is burned to produce energy. It is used to generate electricity and power many industries. Petroleum, also known as "oil," is a thick, sticky liquid that is extracted from the ground. It is used to make fuels like gasoline and diesel, as well as many other products.

In this chapter, we will learn more about the formation, uses, and impact of coal and petroleum through a series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These MCQs will help you understand the key concepts related to coal and petroleum, which are part of the Class 8 Science syllabus.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Science provide detailed explanations for these MCQs, ensuring that you have a strong understanding of the topic.

Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs

Coal and petroleum are two important natural resources that we use every day. These are called "fossil fuels" because they are made from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. In this chapter, we will learn more about the formation, uses, and impact of coal and petroleum through a series of multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs with Answers and Explanation

Ques: Which of the following is a fossil fuel?

a) Solar energy

b) Wind energy

c) Coal

d) Geothermal energy

Ans: c) Coal

Explanation: Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

Ques: What is the primary component of natural gas?

a) Butane

b) Propane

c) Methane

d) Ethane

Ans: c) Methane

Explanation: Natural gas mainly consists of methane, which is a simple hydrocarbon.

Ques: Which process is used to obtain petroleum?

a) Filtration

b) Distillation

c) Sedimentation

d) Evaporation

Ans: b) Distillation

Explanation: Petroleum is refined using fractional distillation to separate its components.

Ques: Which of the following is a by-product of petroleum refining?

a) Kerosene

b) Sand

c) Water

d) Salt

Ans: a) Kerosene

Explanation: Kerosene is one of the many by-products obtained from refining crude oil.

Ques: Which of these is not a renewable source of energy?

a) Solar energy

b) Wind energy

c) Coal

d) Hydropower

Ans: c) Coal

Explanation: Coal is a non-renewable source of energy as it takes millions of years to form.

Ques: What is coal primarily composed of?

a) Calcium

b) Carbon

c) Sodium

d) Hydrogen

Ans: b) Carbon

Explanation: Coal is mainly composed of carbon, along with other elements like hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

Ques: Which of the following products is obtained from coal tar?

a) Petrol

b) Diesel

c) Plastics

d) Wax

Ans: c) Plastics

Explanation: Coal tar is used in the manufacture of synthetic dyes, drugs, explosives, perfumes, plastics, etc.

Ques: Which type of coal has the highest carbon content?

a) Lignite

b) Bituminous

c) Anthracite

d) Peat

Ans: c) Anthracite

Explanation: Anthracite has the highest carbon content and is the hardest form of coal.

Ques: Which of the following is a use of petroleum?

a) Making bricks

b) Generating wind energy

c) Fuel for vehicles

d) Purifying water

Ans: c) Fuel for vehicles

Explanation: Petroleum products such as petrol and diesel are used as fuel for vehicles.

Ques: What is the main use of natural gas?

a) Making glass

b) Cooking and heating

c) Building roads

d) Producing cement

Ans: b) Cooking and heating

Explanation: Natural gas is commonly used as a domestic and industrial fuel for cooking and heating.

Ques: What is LPG mainly composed of?

a) Methane

b) Propane and butane

c) Ethane

d) Hydrogen

Ans: b) Propane and butane

Explanation: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is mainly composed of propane and butane gases.

Ques: Which type of coal is known as 'brown coal'?

a) Lignite

b) Bituminous

c) Anthracite

d) Peat

Ans: a) Lignite

Explanation: Lignite is often referred to as 'brown coal' due to its color and lower carbon content.

Ques: Which is the first stage in the formation of coal?

a) Lignite

b) Bituminous

c) Peat

d) Anthracite

Ans: c) Peat

Explanation: Peat is the first stage in the formation of coal and contains a lot of water and decayed plant material.

Ques: Which of the following is not obtained from crude oil?

a) Petrol

b) Kerosene

c) Diesel

d) Natural gas

Ans: d) Natural gas

Explanation: Natural gas is obtained from gas wells or oil wells, not directly from crude oil.

Ques: What does the term 'petroleum' literally mean?

a) Rock gas

b) Rock oil

c) Ground oil

d) Black gold

Ans: b) Rock oil

Explanation: The term 'petroleum' is derived from Latin words 'petra' (rock) and 'oleum' (oil).

Ques: Which of the following is a non-renewable energy source?

a) Solar energy

b) Wind energy

c) Natural gas

d) Hydropower

Ans: c) Natural gas

Explanation: Natural gas is a non-renewable resource because it cannot be replenished on a human timescale.

Ques: What is formed by the decomposition of organic matter over millions of years under high pressure and temperature?

a) Coal

b) Limestone

c) Basalt

d) Sandstone

Ans: a) Coal

Explanation: Coal is formed from the decomposition of organic matter such as plants over millions of years under high pressure and temperature.

Ques: Which of the following is a liquid fossil fuel?

a) Coal

b) Natural gas

c) Petroleum

d) Uranium

Ans: c) Petroleum

Explanation: Petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel that is refined to produce various fuels and chemicals.

Ques: What is the primary use of coal in power plants?

a) To generate electricity

b) To refine petroleum

c) To produce natural gas

d) To make fertilizers

Ans: a) To generate electricity

Explanation: Coal is primarily used in power plants to generate electricity through combustion.

Ques: Which country is the largest producer of coal?

a) United States

b) India

c) Australia

d) China

Ans: d) China

Explanation: China is the largest producer of coal, contributing to a significant portion of the world's total production.

Important Questions with Answers Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQ

Q1. The slow process of conversion of dead vegetation into coal is called:
a) Carbonisation
b) Fermentation
c) Distillation
d) Fossilisation
Answer: a) Carbonisation

Q2. Which of the following is an exhaustible natural resource?
a) Water
b) Air
c) Petroleum
d) Sunlight
Answer: c) Petroleum

Q3. Which fuel is used in thermal power plants?
a) Diesel
b) Coal
c) Natural gas
d) LPG
Answer: b) Coal

Q4. Which petroleum product is used in dry cleaning?
a) Petrol
b) Kerosene
c) Diesel
d) Naphtha
Answer: d) Naphtha

Q5. The cleanest fossil fuel is:
a) Coal
b) Coke
c) Natural Gas
d) Petroleum
Answer: c) Natural Gas

Q6. Which by-product of coal is used for road surfacing?
a) Coke
b) Coal Tar
c) Bitumen
d) Diesel
Answer: c) Bitumen

Q7. LPG mainly contains:
a) Methane
b) Propane and Butane
c) Ethane
d) Hydrogen
Answer: b) Propane and Butane

Q8. Which of these is not a fossil fuel?
a) Wood
b) Coal
c) Petroleum
d) Natural gas
Answer: a) Wood

Q9. Petroleum is called “black gold” because:
a) It is black in color and costly
b) It contains coal
c) It is liquid gold
d) It shines like gold
Answer: a) It is black in color and costly

Q10. The main component of CNG is:
a) Ethane
b) Methane
c) Propane
d) Butane
Answer: b) Methane

Assertion and Reason Questions – Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs

Q1.
Assertion (A): Coal and petroleum are formed from dead organisms.
Reason (R): They are called fossil fuels.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Q2.
Assertion (A): Coke is used in the manufacture of steel.
Reason (R): Coke is a good reducing agent.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Q3.
Assertion (A): Natural gas is considered an ideal fuel.
Reason (R): It burns with a lot of smoke and leaves residue.
Answer: c) A is true but R is false

Q4.
Assertion (A): Petroleum is formed in sedimentary rocks.
Reason (R): Dead marine plants and animals get compressed under high pressure.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Q5.
Assertion (A): Bitumen is obtained during petroleum refining.
Reason (R): Bitumen is used as a fuel in vehicles.
Answer: c) A is true but R is false

Q6.
Assertion (A): PCRA advises people to use public transport.
Reason (R): To save petrol and diesel.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Q7.
Assertion (A): CNG is used as a fuel in automobiles.
Reason (R): It is lighter than air and reduces pollution.
Answer: b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

Q8.
Assertion (A): Coal gas is used for street lighting in some places.
Reason (R): It produces a lot of soot.
Answer: c) A is true but R is false

Q9.
Assertion (A): LPG is supplied in cylinders.
Reason (R): LPG is highly inflammable.
Answer: b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A

Q10.
Assertion (A): Fossil fuels are renewable resources.
Reason (R): They form very quickly in nature.
Answer: d) Both A and R are false

Case Study Based Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQ Questions

Case Study 1:
Coal tar is a mixture of substances used to make dyes, explosives, perfumes, and drugs. Coke, another by-product, is almost pure carbon and is used in steel manufacturing.

Q1. Coal tar is used to prepare:
a) Bitumen
b) Dyes and explosives
c) Methane
d) Petroleum gas
Answer: b) Dyes and explosives

Q2. Coke is:
a) A liquid fuel
b) A pure form of carbon
c) A gaseous fuel
d) A mixture of hydrocarbons
Answer: b) A pure form of carbon

Case Study 2:
Petroleum refining is the process of separating petroleum into different components like petrol, diesel, kerosene, lubricating oil, and bitumen.

Q3. The process used in refining petroleum is:
a) Filtration
b) Fractional distillation
c) Sedimentation
d) Sublimation
Answer: b) Fractional distillation

Q4. Which fraction of petroleum is used as a fuel in airplanes?
a) Petrol
b) Kerosene
c) Diesel
d) Bitumen
Answer: b) Kerosene

Case Study 3:
Natural gas occurs in the form of CNG and is supplied through pipelines in some cities. It is mainly methane and is used in homes and industries.

Q5. The main component of natural gas is:
a) Propane
b) Butane
c) Methane
d) Ethane
Answer: c) Methane

Q6. Which of the following is not a use of natural gas?
a) Cooking fuel
b) Fertilizer production
c) Fuel for automobiles
d) Extraction of coal tar
Answer: d) Extraction of coal tar

Case Study 4:
PCRA suggests methods to conserve petroleum and diesel, like driving at a constant speed, switching off the engine at traffic lights, and using public transport.

Q7. PCRA stands for:
a) Petroleum Conservation Research Association
b) Petroleum Control Regulatory Authority
c) Petrochemical Resources Agency
d) Petroleum Carbon Research Association
Answer: a) Petroleum Conservation Research Association

Q8. Which action is suggested by PCRA?
a) Increasing the use of private cars
b) Overloading vehicles
c) Driving at a constant speed
d) Using only petrol engines
Answer: c) Driving at a constant speed

Case Study 5:
Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are fossil fuels. They take millions of years to form and are non-renewable.

Q9. Fossil fuels are considered:
a) Renewable resources
b) Inexhaustible resources
c) Exhaustible natural resources
d) Artificial resources
Answer: c) Exhaustible natural resources

Q10. The formation of fossil fuels takes:
a) Few years
b) Hundreds of years
c) Millions of years
d) Days
Answer: c) Millions of years

Fill in the Blanks and True/False – Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQs

Fill in the Blanks

Q1. The process of separation of petroleum into different fractions is called ________.
Answer: fractional distillation

Q2. ________ is almost pure carbon obtained from coal.
Answer: Coke

Q3. ________ is used in surfacing roads.
Answer: Bitumen

Q4. The main constituent of natural gas is ________.
Answer: methane

Q5. Petroleum is formed from the remains of ________ animals and plants.
Answer: marine

Q6. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are examples of ________ fuels.
Answer: fossil

Q7. CNG stands for ________.
Answer: Compressed Natural Gas

Q8. The organization working on fuel conservation in India is ________.
Answer: PCRA

Q9. The process of conversion of dead vegetation into coal is called ________.
Answer: carbonisation

Q10. Petrol and diesel are obtained from ________.
Answer: petroleum

True/False Questions – Coal and Petroleum Class 8

Q1. Petroleum is also called liquid gold.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False (It is called black gold)

Q2. Coal gas is used for road surfacing.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False

Q3. Diesel is obtained during fractional distillation of petroleum.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True

Q4. Coke is used in the manufacture of steel.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True

Q5. Natural gas is a clean fuel.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True

Q6. LPG is composed of propane and butane.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True

Q7. Fossil fuels are inexhaustible.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False

Q8. Coal tar is used to make perfumes and dyes.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True

Q9. Petroleum is found in between layers of non-porous rocks.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b) False (It is found in porous rocks)

Q10. PCRA recommends using public transport to save fuel.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a) True

Match the Columns – Coal and Petroleum Class 8 MCQ Practice

Q1. Match the following correctly:

Answer: 1–b, 2–a, 3–c, 4–d

Q2.

Answer: 1–a, 2–c, 3–b, 4–d

Q3.

Answer: 1–b, 2–a, 3–c, 4–d

Q4.

Answer: 1–c, 2–b, 3–a, 4–d

Q5.

Answer: 1–b, 2–a, 3–c, 4–d

Q6.

Answer: 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d

Q7.

Answer: 1–b, 2–a, 3–d, 4–c

Q8.

Answer: 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d

Q9.

Answer: 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d

Q10.

Answer: 1–a, 2–b, 3–c, 4–d