Water flows over Victoria Falls, which is 128 m high, at an average rate of 1.66 * 106 kg/s. The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s 2. If half the potential energy of this water were converted into electric energy, how much power would be produced by these falls? Answer in units of MW

The fall will produce 1.04*10³ MW power

Explanation:

Power: This is the rate at which work is done. The S. I unit of power is Watt (W)

P = Energy/time

P = mgh/t

P = μgh ... Equation 1.

Where P = power, μ = the mass rate of water flow, h = height, g = acceleration due to gravity.

Given: μ = 1.66*10⁶ kg/s, h = 128 m, g = 9.81 m/s².

Substituting these values into equation 1

P = (1.66*10⁶*128*9.81) / 2

Note: Half the potential energy of the water were converted to electric energy.

P = 1.66*10⁶*64*9.81

P = 1042.21*10⁶

P = 1.04*10⁹ W

P = 1.04*10³ MW

Thus the fall will produce 1.04*10³ MW power