Question

Hydroelectric dams work by Blocking the path of a water source to create an area with water held back by the dam. The dam can then be open to allow water to be released. The energy from moving water is used and transformed into Electrical energy. What type? What type of energy does the hydroelectric dam capture as the water passes through?

Answer 1

Hydroelectric dams primarily capture kinetic energy and potential energy of water. When water is held back by the dam, it retains potential energy due to its elevated position in the reservoir. When the water is released and flows downward through turbines, that potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the water moves.

As the water passes through the turbines in the dam, the kinetic energy of the flowing water is used to turn the blades of the turbines. These turbines are connected to generators, which convert the mechanical energy from the turbines into electrical energy. Thus, hydroelectric dams effectively transform the energy of flowing water into usable electrical power.