Despite their differences coal fired and nuclear power plants actually create energy in the same way which describes this similarity? a) they both break apart atoms b) they both fuse two atoms together c) they both heat water to turn turbines d)they both rely on a chemical reaction

They both heat water to turn turbines .

Explanation:

Heat energy is released in both of them , in coal through the process of oxidation reaction and in nuclear plant , through the process of nuclear fission.

But in both the case, steam is formed with the help of thermal energy produced and this energy is converted into electrical energy by rotating  the turbines in magnetic field with the help of steam .