Final answer:
Kinetic energy from moving water is what turns tidal turbines into electrical energy. This energy transformation is analogous to the process used in hydroelectric power, where water's potential energy gets converted into kinetic energy as it moves through a turbine, generating electricity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of energy that turns tidal turbines to create electrical energy is kinetic energy from moving water. This energy comes from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, which causes the tides. As water flows through the turbines, its potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy, much like when water moves from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, such as over a waterfall or through a dam.
The process of generating electricity from tidal energy is similar to hydroelectric power. When tides come in, water is trapped in reservoirs. As the tide goes out, the water passes through turbines, the kinetic energy of the moving water is converted into mechanical energy, which in turn spins the turbines connected to generators to produce electricity.