Which of the following is a major disadvantage of thermal power plants?
A
High initial construction cost
B
Dependence on fossil fuels and pollution
D
Very large land area required
Analysis & Theory
Thermal power plants heavily depend on coal or oil, causing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Compared to hydroelectric plants, thermal power plants:
A
Have lower operating costs
C
Can be set up in any location regardless of water source
Analysis & Theory
Thermal plants can be located near fuel and water sources and don't rely on terrain or large water reservoirs like hydro plants.
Which of the following is an advantage of thermal power plants?
B
Short construction time and easy availability of fuel
Analysis & Theory
Thermal power plants can be constructed relatively quickly and use widely available fossil fuels like coal.
Why is the efficiency of thermal power plants generally lower than other types?
A
Due to energy losses in cooling towers and exhaust gases
B
They use old technology
C
Because turbines rotate slowly
D
They run only on solar power
Analysis & Theory
Significant heat energy is lost in condensers and exhaust, reducing the overall efficiency of thermal plants.
Which factor makes thermal power plants more flexible in location compared to hydro plants?
A
Availability of coal everywhere
B
Less pollution concerns
C
No requirement for water
D
Independence from geographical constraints like rivers or dams
Analysis & Theory
Thermal plants don't require rivers or elevation, so they can be installed near coal mines or load centers.
Which generating station has the shortest construction time?
C
Hydroelectric power station
D
Geothermal power station
Analysis & Theory
Thermal plants typically have shorter construction periods compared to nuclear or hydro plants.
Which of the following is true about the cost comparison between thermal and nuclear power stations?
A
Thermal has lower initial cost and higher running cost
B
Thermal has higher initial and lower running cost
C
Nuclear is cheaper in every aspect
D
Both have equal initial and running costs
Analysis & Theory
Thermal plants are cheaper to build but costlier to run due to continuous fuel requirements and maintenance.
Which of the following types of power stations contribute the most to air pollution?
A
Hydroelectric power stations
Analysis & Theory
Thermal power stations burn coal or oil, releasing large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere.
Compared to thermal plants, hydroelectric plants:
B
Have higher running costs
C
Require less maintenance
D
Use fossil fuels as input
Analysis & Theory
Hydroelectric plants have fewer moving parts and use water, leading to lower maintenance costs.
Which factor does NOT favor thermal power stations over hydroelectric ones?
C
High efficiency and low environmental impact
D
Shorter construction time
Analysis & Theory
Thermal power plants are less efficient and have a higher environmental impact compared to hydroelectric stations.