hydroelectric

Question 1

how do hydroelectric dams work?

Answer 1

1. hydroelectric dam will trap water flowing downhill in a reservoir
2. when water is released through the dam, gpe is transferred to kinetic and some energy is transferred and it spins turbines which are connected generators and produce electricity
3. water can return to the river on the downstream of the dam

Question 2

hydroelectric advantages

Answer 2

-no fuel costs
-minimal running costs
-useful to generate electricity in remote areas
-higher electricity demands can be met by increasing water flow

Question 3

hydroelectric disadvantages

Answer 3

-high initial costs
-can flood land upstream
-loss of habitat
-unreliable in some countries with drought

Question 4

which energy transfer takes place as water flows from the higher side of a hydroelectric dam to the lower side?

Answer 4

gravitational potential to kinetic