Calculating Power of Waterfall: PE, Work, & Electricity

  • Thread starter Thread starter cowgiljl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fall Water
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the potential energy (PE) of a waterfall that is 30 meters high with a flow of 10,000 kg of water per second, resulting in a PE of 2.94 million joules. It then attempts to calculate the power delivered if all potential energy is converted to work, leading to a force of 98,000 Newtons and a work output of 980 megajoules. A participant questions the accuracy of the power calculation, emphasizing the need to consider the physical dimensions when multiplying force by mass, as it should reflect energy per second, equating to power. The correct approach suggests that the energy can be used to power 100-watt light bulbs, with the calculation indicating how many bulbs can be lit. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between energy, power, and practical applications in electricity generation.
cowgiljl
Messages
63
Reaction score
1
a waterfall is 30 m high and 10000 kg of water flow over it every second
A) calculate the potential energy
PE = mgh
got 2.94E6 joules

B) calculate the power delevered by the water of all the potential energy is converted to work

F = mA
F= 10000 * 9.80
f = 98000

w = Fm
w 98000 * 10000
w = 980 MJ mega joules

C)If all the power were converted to electricity, how many 100watt light bulbs could be lit

not even sure on how to approach this
[?]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
B is WRONG Look at the physicsl dimensions when u multiply force by mass is it Energy
 
Look the energy mgh which u calulated is per second
which is power itself

with this energy u can lit mgh/100 bulbs

hope u will get now
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

How Many 100W Bulbs Can Be Powered by Converting Water's Potential Energy?
Replies
12
Views
10K
Potential Energy and Work done to lift object distance h
Replies
1
Views
2K
Finding power as a function of time in transferring water
Replies
11
Views
2K
Generating Power from a Small Hydro Plant on a 10m High Waterfall
Replies
2
Views
2K
Calculating Pump Power and Fountain Height from Water Ejection Speed
Replies
20
Views
4K
How is Work and Power Calculated in These Scenarios?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Is this the Maximum Power Generated from a Small Hydro Plant?
Replies
1
Views
1K
KE1 vs KE2, mechanical energy change
Replies
7
Views
2K
How to Calculate the Power Output of a Waterfall Generator
Replies
5
Views
11K
Calculating Energy Stored and Dissipated in a Capacitor Discharge
Replies
1
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top