Question

What is the flow of energy from the falling water to the steam?

Answer 1

Answer:

The flow of energy from falling water to the steam is;

a) Mechanical → Mechanical → Electrical → Thermal → Thermal

Explanation:

1) Mechanical → Mechanical

The water in the pipe before it falls possesses potential energy which it converts into kinetic energy as it falls from height

2) Mechanical → Mechanical

The water falling from the pipe stream unto the turbine wheel transfers its kinetic (mechanical) energy due to its motion on to the turbine wheel to give the wheel rotational motion

3) Mechanical → Electrical

The kinetic (mechanical) energy from the rotating turbine wheel is converted into electrical energy in the electrical generator which transported through the electrical circuit

4) Electrical → Thermal

The electrical energy from the electric current is then converted into thermal energy as the current passes through the resistors in the heating filament

5) Thermal → Thermal

The heated filament transfers thermal energy to the the water in the beaker by conduction which raises the temperature of the water such that as the water acquires more thermal energy it turns into steam

Therefore, we have the flow of energy from the falling water to steam as follows;

1) Mechanical 2) Mechanical 3) Electrical 4) Thermal 5) Thermal