Final answer:
In the case of a turbine being moved by water, potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, which is then converted to electrical energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When water is harnessed to move a turbine, there is a conversion of energy from one form to another. Specifically, potential energy from the water held at a higher elevation (such as in a reservoir behind a dam) is first converted to kinetic energy as the water falls or flows. This kinetic energy is then harnessed by a turbine, which turns a shaft connected to an electric generator. Within the generator, there is another energy conversion where the rotational kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.
Thus, the correct answer to the original question is that potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, which is then converted to electrical energy as the water flows through the turbine system. This conversion sequence is critical for hydroelectric power generation, as seen in installations like the Hoover Dam.