Which of the following is used to power steam engines?

A.

lubricating oil

B.

coal

C.

bitumen

D.

diesel oil

Correct answer is B

When we burn coal on a fire, the bonds break apart and the energy is released in the form of heat. Coal contains about half as much energy per kilogram as cleaner fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene—and that's one reason why steam engines have to burn so much of it.

Coal is the fuel used to power steam engines.