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) 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 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.

1 answer

The correct response is: "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."

Here's the reasoning: In both cases, the potential energy at the top of the drop is the same due to the same height. However, at the bottom of the drop, the way the water is utilized differs. In the case of the waterfall (river A), the water falls and splashes down, dispersing some of its energy. In contrast, in the hydroelectric dam (river B), the kinetic energy is often converted into electrical energy, and the water is channeled in such a way that retains more of its kinetic energy for effective energy generation. Thus, the kinetic energy of the falling water is typically greater at the hydroelectric dam than at the waterfall.