Question

Which statement is true of both coal-fired power plants and solar thermal power plants?

A Both coal and solar thermal plants utilize renewable resources.

B Both coal and solar thermal plants convert the same percentage of initial energy into electricity .

C Both coal and solar thermal plants use a heat source to create steam

D Both coal and solar thermal plants create greenhouse gases

Answer 1

Option C is the correct statement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Both coal-fired power plants and solar thermal power plants use a heat source to create steam, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity. In a coal-fired power plant, the heat is generated by burning coal to produce steam. In a solar thermal power plant, mirrors or lenses are used to concentrate sunlight onto a fluid, which is then heated to produce steam.

Option A is incorrect because coal is a non-renewable resource, while solar thermal power plants utilize renewable solar energy. Option B is incorrect because the conversion efficiency of coal-fired power plants is typically much lower than that of solar thermal power plants. Option D is partially correct, as coal-fired power plants are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, while solar thermal power plants do not emit greenhouse gases during operation.