Question

Which of the following are the limitations of the steam engine?

• A. Construction of steam engine is complex.
• B. Steam engine is bulky, hence cannot be used to run small machines.
• C. The engine can't start instantly.
• D. Steam engine is small in size.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A Construction of steam engine is complex.
B Steam engine is bulky, hence cannot be used to run small machines.
C The engine can't start instantly.

Due to its big boiler and furnace, a steam engine is huge, heavy and clumsy. Since the boiler of a steam engine is very heavy, therefore, a steam engine cannot be used for running small vehicles like cars and buses. Moreover, a steam engine does not start at once. Before a steam engine can start, we have to build a coal fire to get steam. This process takes a long time and hence a steam engine cannot be started instantly.