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 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.
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.

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 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 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.

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, the water falls freely, converting potential energy to kinetic energy more efficiently as it descends. In contrast, at a hydroelectric dam, some of the energy is harnessed for electricity generation, which may result in less kinetic energy at the bottom compared to the free fall of water in a waterfall.