At Hoover Dam, the distance the water effectively falls before encountering the electric generators depends on the water levels in Lake Mead. Assume that the water intakes are effectively 170 m above the electric generators. How much water must pass through the generators to power 2.2 million 35-W Las Vegas lightbulbs for 6.0 minutes?

Respuesta :

Answer:

m = 1.6 x [tex]10^{7}[/tex] kg

Explanation:

It is given :

Height, h = 170 m

Number of light bulbs = 2.2 million

Power of one bulb = 35 W

Time = 6 minutes = 6 x 60 s

                             = 360 s

Now power required for 2.2 million bulbs = 2.2 million x 35 W

                                                                     = 2200000 x 35

                                                                     = 77000000 W

Now we know that Power = energy / time

Therefore, Energy = Power x time

                               = 77000000 x 360

                                = 27720000000

                                = 2.772 x [tex]10^{10}[/tex] J

For Dam, we know

Energy = m.g.h

where g = acceleration due to gravity

              =  9.8 m/s2

          m = mass of water required

          h = height from which water falls

              = 175 m

Therefore,

E = m.g.h

m = E / (g.h)

   = 2.772 x [tex]10^{10}[/tex] / ( 9.8 x 175 )

   = 2.772 x [tex]10^{10}[/tex] / 1715

   = 1.6 x 10[tex]10^{7}[/tex] kg

Therefore mass of water = 1.6 x [tex]10^{7}[/tex] kg