Question

From below what is used to generate electricity in thermal power plants?
A. Fossil fuels
B. Water
C. Solar energy
D. Nuclear energy

Answer 1

Hint:A thermal power plant converts heat energy to electricity. From the sources of energy given in the options, we have to figure out which source can supply the heat energy for the sufficient generation of electricity.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that a power plant is used in converting other forms of energy to electrical energy. The electricity which we use in our daily life is a result of the conversion of the energy carried out in a power plant. Now, a power plant is of various types depending upon the source of energy used in it.
A thermal power plant is one of the types of a power plant in which, as its name suggests, we use the heat energy for the generation of electricity. So both nuclear energy and solar energy are incorrect answers. Therefore, both the options C and D are incorrect.
Now, for generating electricity in a thermal power plant, we heat a substance, usually water, to convert it to steam. The water is boiled inside a boiler where it receives a sufficient amount of heat to be converted into steam. This steam is passed into the turbines, where it strikes the blades of the turbines and rotates them. The blades of the turbines are connected to a coil placed inside a magnetic field. So the rotation of the blades causes the rotation of the coil inside the magnetic field. So emf is induced across the ends of the coil according to Faraday’s law, and hence the electrical energy is generated.
Now, for boiling the water inside the boiler, we need a heat energy source. For this, we burn fossil fuels due to which their chemical energy is released as the heat energy which boils the water to steam.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: The name of the type of power plant indicates the source of energy used. For example, solar energy is used in a solar panel for converting it to electricity. Nuclear energy is used in a nuclear power plant where it is converted to electricity. Also, the potential energy of water is converted to electricity in a hydropower plant.