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Why are the turbines for hydroelectric dams located far below the top of the dam?(1 point)

Responses

to ensure that the water does not lose too much kinetic energy before reaching the turbines
to ensure that the water does not lose too much kinetic energy before reaching the turbines

to allow the potential energy of the water to increase greatly before reaching the turbines
to allow the potential energy of the water to increase greatly before reaching the turbines

to allow the kinetic energy of the water to increase greatly before reaching the turbines
to allow the kinetic energy of the water to increase greatly before reaching the turbines

to ensure that the water does not lose too much potential energy before reaching the turbines

5 answers

The correct response is:

to ensure that the water does not lose too much potential energy before reaching the turbines.

This is because the turbines are positioned to exploit the potential energy of the water stored at a higher elevation in the dam, converting that energy into kinetic energy as the water flows downward, which is then used to generate electricity. Placing the turbines lower allows for maximum utilization of the water's potential energy.

is kinetic energy at its highest when its closer to the ground

Yes, kinetic energy is at its highest when an object is closer to the ground due to the conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy as it falls. In the context of a hydroelectric dam, as water flows down from a higher elevation, it loses potential energy and gains kinetic energy, reaching its maximum kinetic energy right before it reaches the turbines at the bottom of the dam.

So, at the lowest point, where the water has descended the greatest height, its speed—and thus its kinetic energy—is at its maximum. This is why turbines are located lower down in the dam, where the water has the most kinetic energy available for converting into electricity.

An athlete is practicing shotput using a 16-pound shot, and he throws it 40 feet. He then uses a 12-pound shot and throws it 50 feet. In three to four sentences, explain why there is a difference in these throws using the ideas of mass and speed and how each relates to kinetic energy

The difference in distance thrown by the athlete with the two shot puts can be attributed to the mass and speed of each shot. The kinetic energy of an object is given by the formula \(KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2\), where \(m\) is mass and \(v\) is speed. The 16-pound shot, being heavier, may require more strength to throw at a comparable speed, resulting in a shorter distance (40 feet). Conversely, the lighter 12-pound shot can be thrown with greater speed due to less mass, allowing it to achieve more kinetic energy and, consequently, a longer throw (50 feet). Thus, the balance of mass and speed plays a critical role in determining the distance thrown in shotput.