Question

Why is steam used to rotate the turbine?

Answer 1

Because of high pressure and high kinetic energy, higher efficiency is obtained while steam is used to rotate the turbine. The two or three propeller-like blades around the rotor in the turbine are turned by the wind energy.

Complete answer:
A Turbine is generally a machine used to produce a continuous flow of energy when a rotor or wheel typically revolving at a higher speed or fast-moving flow of water, air, wind, gas, and other fluids, etc.., The electrical power is generated from the work produced by a turbine when combined with the generator.

As the name implies, the power is generated through hot, gaseous steam in the steam turbine. The steam acts like a cross between water and wind turbines.
When steam blows into the turbine, the spinning blades (fitted inside the outer container) are flown at higher rates.

Because of high pressure, the continuous flow of electricity is generated at incredibly high speed, therefore the rotating speed increases when comparing with other wind and water turbines.
While using steam turbines the efficiency increases rapidly than the other turbines. There are three different methods used to increase the efficiency of steam turbines: reheating, regenerative feed, and binary vapor cycles.

The blades of the steam turbine flow continuously to generate electricity like a steam engine. But the steam turbine is much more compact than the steam engine.
Because of the high pressure and high kinetic energy, steam turbines are mostly used. As steam contains thermal energy, high pressure is obtained for running the turbines, to generate electricity. As we all know the Energy Transformation law, [Energy can be transferred from one form to another] here kinetic energy of steam is converted into kinetic energy of the turbine.

Note: The word turbine is derived from the Greek word “vortex” literally means, a rotator mechanical device to produce energy. Water, wind, gas, air, and other fluids are the other forms of energy used in turbines. The three types of steam turbines are a backpressure steam turbine, extraction steam turbine, and condensing steam turbine.