Question

A hydroelectric power facility converts the gravitational potential energy of water behind a dam to electric energy. What is the gravitational potential energy relative to the generators of a lake of volume 35 km3km3, (3.50×10133.50×1013 kg) given that the lake has an average height of 63 m above the generators?
ΔPEg=_______________ units=________________

Answer 1

Gravitational potential energy of an object having mass m at a heigh h is given by

PE(g)= mgh

m=3.5x10^13

g= 9.8 m/s^2

h= 63m

PE(g)=(3.5x10^13)(9.8 m/s^2)(63m) PE (g)= 2.16x10¹⁶ J