Practical uses of water resources Which of the following are everyday or engineering uses for water in practice?

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:

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