USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The coal-fired steam engine was in many respects the decisive technology of the Industrial Revolution. Steam power was first applied to pump water out of coal mines.

Detailed explanation-2: -That source was fossil fuels-coal, oil, and natural gas, though coal led the way-formed underground from the remains of plants and animals from much earlier geologic times.

Detailed explanation-3: -They were powered by air pressure pushing a piston into the partial vacuum generated by condensing steam, instead of the pressure of expanding steam. The engine cylinders had to be large because the only usable force acting on them was atmospheric pressure.

Detailed explanation-4: -The first useful steam engine was invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712. The Newcomen engine was used to pump water out of mines. Steam power really took off with improvements made by James Watt in 1778.

Detailed explanation-5: -Steam power became the energy source for many machines and vehicles, making it cheaper and easier to produce commodities in large amounts. This in turn increased the demand for raw materials used to build more machines that can produce even more commodities.