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 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 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.

Answer 1

The correct response related to the energy of the water in the two rivers 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.

Here's why:

In river A (the waterfall), as the water falls, it converts potential energy (due to its height) into kinetic energy (the energy of motion) as it reaches the bottom of the drop. The water in a waterfall typically accelerates rapidly, resulting in higher kinetic energy at the bottom.

In river B (the hydroelectric dam), while the drop is also the same height, the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as well, but energy is being harnessed by the dam's turbine for electricity generation. Some energy is used to operate the generator and other inefficiencies are involved, which may lead to lower kinetic energy of the water flowing out at the bottom compared to the unimpeded fall in the waterfall.

Therefore, the kinetic energy at the bottom of the waterfall is likely higher than that at the bottom of the hydroelectric dam.