The Dam Story BookEnergy Conversions

Once upon a time, a river flowed through a valley. The people that lived in the valley needed energy to power their homes, so they built a hydro-electric dam. pg. 1

Water molecules that once flowed freely down the river built up in a large lake behind the dam, called a reservoir. As the water level rose, the gravitational potential energy of the water molecules increased. pg. 3

When the gates at the top of the dam opened, water molecules flowed down steep channels called sluices. As they fell and gained speed, the molecules converted their potential energy into kinetic energy. pg. 5

At the bottom of the sluice, water crashed into a giant wheel with paddles called a turbine, causing it to spin as the water molecules transferred their kinetic energy to it. pg. 7

The turbine was connected to a generator. As the turbine spun, the generator converted its kinetic energy into electrical energy. Then, power lines carried the electricity to the homes in the valley. pg. 9

The people of the valley can use the electrical energy to power their lights (radiant energy), ovens (thermal energy), ceiling fans (kinetic energy), and radios (sound energy)! pg. 11