Two different rivers have drops that are the same height. In river A, this drop of the river is a waterfall. In river B, this drop has the generator for a hydroelectric dam. In what way does the energy of the water differ between the drops in the two rivers?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The kinetic energy of the water would be less at the bottom of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam river B.
The kinetic energy of the water would be less at the bottom of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam river B.

The kinetic energy of the water would be greater at the bottom of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam in river B.
The kinetic energy of the water would be greater at the bottom of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam in river B.

The potential energy of the water would be less at the top of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam in river B.
The potential energy of the water would be less at the top of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam in river B.

The potential energy of the water would be greater at the top of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam in river B.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

The kinetic energy of the water would be greater at the bottom of the drop in the waterfall river A than at the hydroelectric dam in river B.

This is because in a waterfall scenario, water typically falls freely and gains speed due to gravity, leading to high kinetic energy at the bottom. In a hydroelectric dam, while the water also has potential energy from its height, much of that energy is converted to mechanical energy to generate electricity before the water exits the dam, which could result in a lower velocity (and thus lower kinetic energy) compared to the free-falling water in the waterfall.