elevation potential energy (elevation head) The energy possessed by a mass, e.g. a body of water, by virtue of its being raised above a particular datum point, usually taken as either sea level or local ground level. The energy may be released when the mass is allowed to fall to a lower level, and may be harnessed, e.g. in the case of water by powering a turbine in a hydroelectric scheme. Elevation head is the energy possessed by a unit weight of water at a point, due to this cause. See also BERNOULLI EQUATION; DARCY'S LAW; and PRESSURE HEAD.

elevation potential energy The energy possessed by a mass (e.g. a body of water) by virtue of its being raised above a particular datum point, usually taken as either sea level or local ground level. The energy may be released when the mass is allowed to fall to a lower level, and may be harnessed (e.g. in the case of water by powering a turbine in a hydroelectric scheme). The elevation head is the energy possessed by a unit weight of water at a point, owing to this cause. See also Bernoulli equation; Darcy's Law; and pressure head.