Question 2 (1 point) Hydroelectric dams work by blocking the path of a water source to create an area with water held back by the dam. The dam can then be opened to allow water to be released. The energy from the moving water is used and transformed into electrical energy. What type of energy does a hydroelectric dam capture as the water passes through%3F a Mechanical Energy b Light Energy c Nuclear Energy d Sound Energy
a Mechanical Energy
The type of energy that a hydroelectric dam captures as the water passes through is a) Mechanical Energy.
To determine the type of energy that a hydroelectric dam captures as the water passes through, let's analyze the given options:
a) Mechanical Energy: Mechanical energy refers to the energy possessed by an object due to its motion or position. In the case of a hydroelectric dam, the water passing through the dam is indeed in motion, so there is a presence of mechanical energy. However, it's not the energy that is being captured by the dam.
b) Light Energy: Light energy is a form of electromagnetic energy that is produced by sources like the sun or artificial lighting. It does not specifically apply to the operation of a hydroelectric dam, so this option can be excluded.
c) Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy is the energy stored in the nucleus of atoms. It is unrelated to the operation of a hydroelectric dam, so this option can also be excluded.
d) Sound Energy: Sound energy is a form of mechanical energy that is produced by vibrations traveling through a medium, such as air or water. While there may be sound generated by the movement of water through a dam, it is not the main energy being captured by the dam.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
a) Mechanical Energy
A hydroelectric dam captures the mechanical energy of the moving water as it passes through, and this energy is then transformed into electrical energy.