The water in the dam is stored at the top. This stored water flows into the turbine, causing it to rotate. The turbine, in turn, rotates the shaft of a generator that produces electricity.

Question

The turbines can be seen inside this hydroelectric dam. Why are they located at that particular height?

(1 point)
Responses

There is a small drop, so the water will still have a lot of potential energy to transfer to the turbine.
There is a small drop, so the water will still have a lot of potential energy to transfer to the turbine.

There is a large drop, so the water will have a lot of kinetic energy to transfer to the turbine.
There is a large drop, so the water will have a lot of kinetic energy to transfer to the turbine.

There is a large drop, so the water will have a lot of potential energy to transfer to the turbine.
There is a large drop, so the water will have a lot of potential energy to transfer to the turbine.

There is a small drop, so the water will still have a lot of kinetic energy to transfer to the turbine.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

There is a large drop, so the water will have a lot of potential energy to transfer to the turbine.

This is because the height difference (the drop) provides the water with potential energy, which is converted into kinetic energy as it flows downward, effectively driving the turbine to generate electricity.