The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.
Explanation
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. It is a fossil fuel composed primarily of carbon, along with variable amounts of other elements such as hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect: Coal is not a soft, white substance. It is characteristically hard (often described as "hard as stone") and dark in appearance.
- Statement 2 is Correct: Coal is black in color due to its high carbon content. It is one of the most abundant fossil fuels.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Historically, coal was the primary fuel used in railway engines (steam locomotives). It was burned to boil water, producing steam that drove the engine's pistons to generate motion.
Key Takeaway: Coal is a hard, black fossil fuel historically essential for steam engines and currently used primarily for thermal power generation and steel production.