Question

Water stored in a dam possesses ___.

• A. no energy
• B. electrical energy
• C. kinetic energy
• D. potential energy

Answer 1

The correct option is D

potential energy

In a dam filled with water up to a certain level there is a weight of water acting downwards (i.e $\text{mass}\times \text{g}$) and also the water is at a certain height $h$. Hence recalling the formula for potential energy which is 'mgh', it is evident that it has potential energy stored in it. When the dam is opened and the water is allowed to fall out, this potential energy gets converted to kinetic energy according to the "Law of Conservation of Energy".