Question

Click and pull on the blue knob on the faucet to turn the water on. Trace the flow of energy in a hydropower system.


Mechanical
Thermal
Chemical
Light and Thermal


Mechanical
Mechanical
Electrical
Light and Thermal


Mechanical
Chemical
Electrical
Light and Thermal


Thermal
Mechanical
Electrical
Light and Thermal

Answer 1

In a hydropower system, the flow of energy can typically be traced through the following stages:

1. **Mechanical Energy**: Water stored in a reservoir has potential energy due to its height. When it's released, the water flows down the dam, converting potential energy into mechanical energy as it turns the turbines.

2. **Mechanical Energy**: The movement of the turbines creates mechanical energy as they spin and generate kinetic energy.

3. **Electrical Energy**: This mechanical energy is transformed into electrical energy by the generator connected to the turbines.

4. **Light and Thermal Energy**: While the primary function of hydropower is to generate electrical energy, there might be some energy losses in the form of heat (thermal energy) and some energy might be emitted as light (though this is minimal in comparison to other forms of energy conversion).

Given this explanation, the best representation of the flow of energy in a hydropower system from the options you provided would be:

**Mechanical
Mechanical
Electrical
Light and Thermal**

This aligns with the energy transformation process in a hydropower system.