Water behind a dam has a certain amount of stored energy that can be released as the water falls over the top of the dam. It may be enough energy to turn a mill wheel or an electricity-generating turbine. Choose the term that best describes the type of energy stored in the water at the top of the dam.

Question

Physics

Tania Wright

24 August, 06:42

Water behind a dam has a certain amount of stored energy that can be released as the water falls over the top of the dam. It may be enough energy to turn a mill wheel or an electricity-generating turbine. Choose the term that best describes the type of energy stored in the water at the top of the dam.

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Answers (1)

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Monica Jacobs · Answer 1

Gravitational potential energy

Explanation:

Gravitational potential energy is the type of energy an object has due to its position in a gravitational field. Water behind a dam possesses gravitational potential energy due to it being at a higher level than the water on the other side of the dam. When the water falls the gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, leading to the turning of the turbines to generate electricity.