Problem 7-49 (b) Energy cons. - C

A river is flowing with a speed of \(3.74\; m/s\) just upstream from a waterfall of vertical height \(8.74\; m\). During each second \(7.12\times10^4\; kg\) of water pass over the fall.

(a) [We will ignore this part]
(b) If there is complete conversion of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy, what is the speed of the water at the bottom of the fall?

(Note: This is actually an unrealistic assumption; some of the energy in the fall will be converted into heat)

Correct!

If all potential energy is converted to kinetic energy then:

(A)  \((E_K + E_P)_{top} = (E_P)_{bottom}\)

(B)  \((E_K + E_P)_{top} = (E_K)_{bottom}\)

(C)  \((E_K + E_P)_{top} = (E_K + E_P)_{bottom}\)