The highest recorded waterfall in the world is found at angel falls in venezuela. its longest single waterfall has a height of 807 m. if water at the top of the falls is at 15.0 °c, what is the maximum temperature of the water at the bottom of the falls? assume all the kinetic energy of the water as it reaches the bottom goes into raising the water’s temperature

Respuesta :

The thermal energy gained by the water can be calculated using:
Q = mCΔT
And the change in gravitational potential energy will be:
P.E = mgh
Considering that all of the potential energy is converted to thermal energy, we may equate:
P.E = Q
mgh = mCΔT
gh = CΔT
9.81 x 807 = 4,186(Tf - 10)
Tf = 1.9 + 15
Tf = 16.9 °C

The final temperature of the water is about 17 °C