Practical uses of water resources Which of the following are everyday or engineering uses for water in practice?
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ARunning hydroelectric turbines
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BFloating boats and ships (navigation and transport)
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CProviding steam for running locomotives and industrial power
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DWarming and conditioning of dwelling units (heating/cooling systems)
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EAll of the above
Answer
Correct Answer: All of the above
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Water is a versatile resource in civil and mechanical engineering applications, from power generation and transport to thermal conditioning and industrial processes.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Standard physical properties of water (high specific heat, incompressibility at low pressures, density ~1000 kg/m³) are leveraged in these uses.
Concept / Approach:Hydropower converts potential/kinetic energy of stored or flowing water into electricity. Navigation relies on buoyancy. Steam generation uses phase change to power engines/turbines. Thermal systems exploit water’s heat capacity for heating/cooling.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Relate each listed option to a known engineering application.Confirm that none of the options contradict physical principles or common practice.Select the comprehensive option that includes all valid uses.Verification / Alternative check:Engineering standards and historical practice (e.g., steam locomotives, district heating, hydropower dams) corroborate each use.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:Options a–d are each individually true; therefore the best answer is “All of the above”.
Common Pitfalls:Assuming modern electrification eliminated steam usage; it persists in power plants and industry.
Final Answer:All of the above