Question

hurricanes are large tropical storms with heavy winds that exceed 74 miles per hour. hurricanes produce heavy rains and may give rise to tornadoes. what is the source of the energy contained in hurricanes?
○ thermal energy of ocean waters
○ kinetic energy of ocean waves
○ thermal energy of coastal lands
○ mechanical energy of moving air

Explanation:

Hurricanes are powered by the mechanical energy of moving air. The strong winds in a hurricane are in motion, and mechanical energy is the energy associated with the motion of an object. Thermal energy of coastal lands is not the source as hurricanes form over oceans. Kinetic energy of ocean waves is a form of mechanical energy but not the main source for the large - scale energy in a hurricane. Thermal energy of ocean waters is related to the heat content of the water, but it is the movement (mechanical energy) of the air that is the key energy source for the hurricane's strong winds and overall structure.

Answer:

mechanical energy of moving air