Final answer:
The Pelton wheel is an improvement over paddle wheels with flat blades because of its curved blade design, which increases efficiency and effectiveness in harnessing power from fluid sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Pelton wheel is an improvement over paddle wheels with flat blades because of its design and efficiency. The Pelton wheel consists of curved blades that are mounted on a rotating axis, allowing them to engage the flow of water or steam at different angles. This design increases the efficiency of the wheel because it maximizes the transfer of energy from the flowing fluid to the wheel.
On the other hand, paddle wheels with flat blades have a lower efficiency because the flat blades do not effectively harness the energy of the flowing fluid. They result in a greater loss of energy due to drag and turbulence.
Overall, the Pelton wheel's curved blade design makes it a more efficient and effective choice for harnessing power from fluid sources compared to paddle wheels with flat blades.