Which statement best describes the general flow in a fossil-fuel power plant?

Which statement best describes the general flow in a fossil-fuel power plant?

• A. Coal is burned to directly move the generator
• B. Coal is burned to heat water, producing steam that drives a turbine connected to a generator
• C. Coal is dissolved in water to create chemical energy
• D. Coal is used to power turbines without steam

Answer: (B)

The general flow involves energy conversion through a sequence of components. Burning coal releases chemical energy as heat, which heats water in a boiler to produce high‑pressure steam. That steam then expands and spins a turbine, and the turbine’s rotation drives a generator to produce electricity. The steam is later cooled and condensed back to water to keep the cycle going. So the electricity comes from converting chemical energy in coal to thermal energy, then to mechanical energy in the turbine, and finally to electrical energy in the generator. Other statements don’t fit because electricity isn’t produced by burning coal directly on the generator, chemical energy isn’t dissolved in water, and turbines aren’t powered without steam.

The general flow involves energy conversion through a sequence of components. Burning coal releases chemical energy as heat, which heats water in a boiler to produce high‑pressure steam. That steam then expands and spins a turbine, and the turbine’s rotation drives a generator to produce electricity. The steam is later cooled and condensed back to water to keep the cycle going. So the electricity comes from converting chemical energy in coal to thermal energy, then to mechanical energy in the turbine, and finally to electrical energy in the generator. Other statements don’t fit because electricity isn’t produced by burning coal directly on the generator, chemical energy isn’t dissolved in water, and turbines aren’t powered without steam.