MM Question Bank Answers

1. Explain the importance of electrical energy in modern society.

Ans) Importance of Electrical Energy in Modern Society

• Electrical energy is essential for industry, powering machines, factories, and

production systems.

• It supports transportation, such as electric trains, metros, and EVs.

• It is required for homes for lighting, heating, cooling, and appliances.

• It enables communication and technology like computers, mobiles, the

internet, hospitals, and research equipment.

2. Draw and explain the basic schematic of a thermal power plant.

Ans) Simple Diagram (Text Form)

Coal → Boiler → Steam → Turbine → Generator → Electricity

Condenser ← Cooling Water

Explanation

• Boiler: Burns coal to produce high-pressure steam.

• Turbine: Steam rotates the turbine blades.

• Generator: Converts mechanical energy of turbine into electrical energy.

• Condenser: Converts used steam back into water to reuse in the boiler.

3. List the advantages and disadvantages of hydro power plants.

Ans) Advantages

• Renewable and environment-friendly.

• Low operating and maintenance cost.

• Provides good efficiency and long plant life.

• Helps in flood control and irrigation.

Disadvantages

• High initial cost due to dam construction.

• Causes displacement of people and wildlife.

• Depends on rainfall, so output is seasonal.

• Large areas get submerged under water.

4. Write short notes on diesel power plants with their advantages.

Ans) diesel power plant uses a diesel engine to drive an alternator, which produces
electricity. It is mainly used for small power generation or as a standby/emergency
supply.

Advantages

• Easy and quick to start and stop.

• Suitable for remote areas.

• Requires less space compared to other plants.

• Good for standby and peak load operation.

• 5. Explain the construction and working of a thermal power plant with a neat block
diagram.

Ans) . Construction & Working of a Thermal Power Plant (with block diagram)

Neat Block Diagram (Text)

Coal → Boiler → Steam Turbine → Generator → Electricity

Condenser → Pump → Boiler (cycle repeats)

Construction (Short)

• Boiler: Burns coal to produce steam.

• Turbine: High-pressure steam rotates turbine blades.

• Generator: Converts mechanical rotation into electrical energy.

• Condenser: Converts exhaust steam back into water.

• Pump: Sends water back to the boiler.

Working (Short)
Coal is burnt in the boiler → steam is produced → steam rotates the turbine → generator
produces electricity → exhaust steam is condensed and reused.

• 6. Describe the construction, working, advantages and disadvantages of a hydro

power plant.

Ans) Construction

• Dam: Stores water at high level.

• Penstock: Large pipe carrying water to turbines.

• Water Turbine: Rotates due to water flow.

• Generator: Produces electricity.

Working

Stored water flows through the penstock → hits turbine blades → turbine rotates →
generator converts rotation to electricity.

Advantages

• Renewable and pollution-free.

• Low operating cost.

• Long plant life and high efficiency.

• Supports irrigation and flood control.

Disadvantages
• Very high initial cost.

• Depends on rainfall (seasonal).

• Large land gets submerged.

• Causes displacement of people.

• 7. Explain the schematic diagram, working principle, advantages and disadvantages of

a nuclear power plant.

Ans) Schematic Diagram (Simple Text)

Nuclear Reactor → Steam Generator → Turbine → Generator → Electricity

↓
 Condenser

Working Principle (High-Level & Safe)

• Controlled nuclear fission in the reactor produces heat.

• Heat converts water into steam in the steam generator.

• Steam rotates the turbine.

• Generator produces electricity.

• Steam is condensed and reused.

Advantages

• Very high energy output from small fuel.

• Low running cost.

• No air pollution from burning fuel.

• Requires less space.
Disadvantages

• Very high initial cost.

• Handling and storing radioactive waste is difficult.

• Requires skilled workers and strict safety systems.

• Decommissioning old plants is expensive.

• 8. Compare thermal, hydro and nuclear power plants based on cost, efficiency,
pollution and application.

Ans)

Parameter Thermal Hydro Nuclear

Moderate initial Very high initial

Very high initial cost; low
Cost cost; high fuel cost; low running
fuel cost
cost cost

Medium (30– High (30–40% electrical

Efficiency High (80–90%)
40%) but huge energy density)

Very low air pollution but

Pollution High (CO₂, ash) Very low
radioactive waste
Parameter Thermal Hydro Nuclear

Base-load & Areas with water Base-load supply for

Application
large-scale use availability large cities/industries

9. Define photovoltaic effect and explain its principle.

Ans) Photovoltaic Effect:

It is the process by which a solar cell converts sunlight directly into electrical energy.

Principle:

• When light falls on a semiconductor material, it releases electrons.

• These electrons move and create an electric current.

• A PN-junction in the solar cell helps separate charges and generate voltage.

10. List the important parameters and characteristics of a solar cell.

Ans)

1. Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): Maximum voltage when no load is connected.

2. Short Circuit Current (Isc): Current when terminals are shorted.

3. Maximum Power Point (MPP): Point where the cell gives highest power.

4. Efficiency: Ratio of output electrical power to sunlight input.

5. Fill Factor (FF): Indicates quality of the solar cell.

6. I-V and P-V Characteristics: Show how current and power vary with voltage.

11. Differentiate between on-grid, off-grid and hybrid solar systems.

Ans)

Type Description (Short)

On-Grid Connected to the electricity grid; no batteries; excess power is

System sent to grid.

Off-Grid Not connected to grid; uses batteries to store energy; used in

System remote areas.
Type Description (Short)

Hybrid Combination of on-grid + off-grid; works with both grid and

System battery backup.

12. List the main components of a wind turbine.

Ans)

• Blades – Capture wind energy.

• Rotor – Holds the blades and rotates.

• Nacelle – Contains gearbox, generator, and controls.

• Gearbox – Increases rotor speed for the generator.

• Generator – Converts mechanical energy to electricity.

• Tower – Supports the turbine at height.

• Yaw System – Keeps turbine facing the wind.

• 14. Describe emerging solar cell technologies.

Ans)

1. Perovskite Solar Cells – High efficiency, low cost, flexible but still in
development.

2. Organic Solar Cells – Lightweight, flexible, suitable for portable devices.

3. Thin-Film Solar Cells (CdTe, CIGS) – Lightweight, lower cost, good for rooftops.
4. Bifacial Solar Cells – Capture sunlight from both front and back sides.
5. Multi-Junction Solar Cells – Very high efficiency, used in satellites and space
applications.

• 15. Explain the construction and working of a Wind Energy System (WES).

Ans) Construction
• Rotor & Blades: Capture wind and rotate.
• Nacelle: Contains generator, gearbox, and control systems.
• Gearbox: Increases rotational speed.
• Generator: Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• Tower: Supports turbine at height.
 • Controller & Yaw System: Aligns turbine with wind.
Working
Wind → rotates blades → rotor spins → gearbox increases speed → generator
produces electricity → power is fed to the grid or storage system.

• 16. Differentiate between Vertical Wind Turbine (VWT) and Horizontal Wind Turbine
(HWT) with suitable diagrams.

Ans) Differences

Point HWT VWT

Axis Direction Horizontal Vertical
Efficiency Higher Lower
Wind Requirement Needs strong, steady wind Works in low or variable wind
Installation Tall tower, more space Can be installed close to ground
Maintenance Difficult Easier