Question

Dams hold collected water back from flowing at their normal rate. What type of energy is in the collected water above the dam? chemical energy electrical energy potential energy kinetic energy

Answer 1

It would be mechanical potential energy.

Answer 2

Potential energy because the moment the dam breaks, a lot of water will burst out. Obviously this isn't chemical energy because there is not chemical reaction taking place. It's not electrical energy because there is no electricity at the dam. This leaves us with potential and kinetic energy. A key word in here is holds back, aka stored water. Storing almost always leads to potential energy.