Question

(a) Explain how tidal energy can be used to generate electricity.
(b) Why is tidal energy riot likely to be a potential source of energy?

Answer 1

Hint: Tides are the long-period waves that occur in the ocean. These are caused by the combined gravitational effects of the sun, the moon, and the rotation of the earth. The two forces that give rise to tides are the gravitational and centrifugal forces.

Complete answer:
First let us describe tidal energy. Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that converts the energy obtained from tides into other useful energies. Tidal energy is the result of the sun and moon’s influence over the ocean. The height difference between low and high tides gives rise to tidal currents in coastal areas, which drives the turbines.

(a) During high tide, when the level of water in the sea is high, seawater flows into the reservoir of the barrage and turns the turbines. The turbines then turn the generator to produce the electricity. And during the low tide, when the level of seawater is low, the seawater stored in the barrage reservoir is allowed to flow out into the sea. This flowing water also turns the turbines and generates electricity.

(b) Tidal energy has been in use for hundreds of years. The most important use of tidal energy is the generation of electricity, called Tidal electricity. The electric power generated from the tides is reliable as tides are predictable and uniform and it is a renewable source of energy and therefore it can be a potential source of energy.

Note: Tidal is a renewable source of energy. It is generated by the combined effects of the gravitational force of the moon and the sun and the rotation of the earth. The power generation in tidal energy is possible due to the difference in the potential energies of the tides.