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Think about what happens in a hydroelectric plant. The potential energy in the water is called 'potential' because the water has a place to go-- down. As the water falls it gains more and more kinetic energy. What is the water made to do before it's released? It passes through huge turbines and it makes the turbines spin. It's the spinning of the turbines that generates electricity. The kinetic energy of the water is converted to electricity.

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Q: How is potential energy used to generate electricity in a hydroelectric power plant?
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