Lesson: Hydroelectric Power Physics

Students will be able to

• recall the basic energy transfers that take place in a hydroelectric dam (gravitational potential electrical energy),
• recall that hydroelectric dams produce alternating current (because they have turbines),
• recall the advantages of hydroelectric dams:
  • they are quick to respond to changes in electricity demand,
  • they are cheap to maintain once built,
• recall the disadvantages of hydroelectric dams:
  • they are expensive to build,
  • they use a lot of concrete, which releases lots of into the atmosphere,
  • flooding the valley behind the dam leads to plant life rotting underwater, which releases lots of methane and ,
  • flooding the valley leads to habitat loss,
• do basic calculations of gravitational potential energy,
• do basic calculations of total power output/installed capacity.