The correct option is (b).
Explanation
The destructive distillation of coal, a process where coal is heated in the absence of air. This industrial process yields three primary products: Coke (solid residue), Coal Tar (liquid), and Coal Gas (gaseous fuel).
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect.
Coke is not a soft or liquid substance. It is a tough, porous, and black solid. It is an almost pure form of carbon and is primarily used in the manufacture of steel and the extraction of many metals.
- Statement 2 is Correct.
Coal tar is a black, thick liquid with an unpleasant smell. It is a complex mixture of about 200 substances. Products obtained from coal tar are used as starting materials for manufacturing synthetic dyes, drugs, explosives, perfumes, plastics, and paints.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect.
While coal gas is a byproduct of coal processing, the standard definition specifies that coal gas is obtained during the processing of coal to get coke, not specifically to get coal tar. Coke is the primary industrial product sought in this process for metallurgical purposes.
Key Takeaway
Destructive distillation of coal produces Coke (solid, pure carbon), Coal Tar (mixture of ~200 substances), and Coal Gas (fuel). Coke is the primary product used for metal extraction.