To answer Question 2 b think about your answer to part a. In part a they ask about why the dam is thicker at the bottom, and this is due to a greater depth, meaning the dam would have to hold a larger mass of water. This would therefore mean the water exerts a greater pressure on the dam at this depth. The dam is thicker at the bottom as it must endure a greater pressure here compared to the top.
However, this is not the only consequence of the higher pressures at greater depths. The generator is powered by the kinetic energy of the water that flows through it. A greater pressure means that there is a greater weight force exerted on the water, and it will have a greater kinetic energy, hence meaning that more electrical energy is generated.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
You also consider gravitational potential energy. The water will have greater gravitational potential energy which will convert to kinetic energy as the water flows through the turbine, generating electricity.
Hi @EM,
To answer Question 2 b think about your answer to part a. In part a they ask about why the dam is thicker at the bottom, and this is due to a greater depth, meaning the dam would have to hold a larger mass of water. This would therefore mean the water exerts a greater pressure on the dam at this depth. The dam is thicker at the bottom as it must endure a greater pressure here compared to the top.
However, this is not the only consequence of the higher pressures at greater depths. The generator is powered by the kinetic energy of the water that flows through it. A greater pressure means that there is a greater weight force exerted on the water, and it will have a greater kinetic energy, hence meaning that more electrical energy is generated.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
You also consider gravitational potential energy. The water will have greater gravitational potential energy which will convert to kinetic energy as the water flows through the turbine, generating electricity.