EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Water gains potential energy just before it spills over the top of a dam or flows down a hill. The potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as water flows downhill. The water can be used to turn the blades of a turbine to generate electricity, which is distributed to the power plant’s customers.

Detailed explanation-2: -A hydroelectric dam converts the potential energy stored in a water reservoir behind a dam to mechanical energy-mechanical energy is also known as kinetic energy. As the water flows down through the dam its kinetic energy is used to turn a turbine.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator.

Detailed explanation-4: -Harnessing Hydroelectricity Water is channeled through tunnels in the dam. The energy of water flowing through the dam’s tunnels causes turbines to turn. The turbines make generators move. Generators are machines that produce electricity.