How can a pile of coal combust?

Subject: How can a pile of coal combust?

Date: Mon Apr 20 20:53:14 1998
Posted by Josh Scully
Grade level: teacher/prof
School: Greenhills
City: Ann Arbot State/Province: MI
Country: USA
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 893123594.Ch

Message:


The history teacher of my school came and ask me to explain to him how 
the USS Maine could have blown up. He said that the fuel, coal was 
stored in a place and that somehow this coal "spontaneously" 
combusted. I have my theories, but I am unclear how a pile of coal can 
blow up! Is this similar to the wheat silos that we blowing up.

Thanks

Re: How can a pile of coal combust?

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