Question

At a dam, the water surface has a height of 120 m above a turbine. The turbine uses 85% of the water's potential energy. If 1800 kg of water flows through the turbine per minute, how much power will come from the turbine?

Answer 1

Et = 30018 [W]

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem we must use the definition of potential energy, which is expressed by the following equation:

`E_(p) =m*g*h`

where:

Ep = potencial energy [W]

g = gravity acceleration [m/s^2]

h = elevation = 120 [m]

m = mass flow = [1800/min]

But in order to get watts into potential energy, we must convert the mass flow from kilograms per minute to kilograms per second.

`1800[(kg)/(min) ]*(1)/(60)(min)/(s)=30[(kg)/(s) ]`

Ep = 30*9.81*120

Ep = 35316 [W]

If we use 85% of the potential energy will have:

Et = 35316*0.85

Et = 30018 [W]