Question

A 73.5-kg hiker starts at an elevation of 1300 m and climbs to the top of a peak 2660 m high. What is the hiker's change in potential energy?

Answer 1

Change in potential energy of hiker is 979608 joules.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of the hiker, m = 73.5 kg

Initial height, h₁ = 1300 m

Final height, h₂ = 2660 m

Let E₁ and E₂ are the initial and final potential energy of the hiker. We know that the energy of the hiker due to its height above ground is called potential energy. It is given by :

Initial potential energy,

`E_1=mgh_1`

Final potential energy,

`E_2=mgh_2`

Change in potential energy,

`E_2-E_1= mg(h_2-h_1)`

`E_2-E_1= mg(h_2-h_1)`

`E_2-E_1= 73.5* 9.8* (2660-1300)`

`\Delta E=979608\ J`

So, the hiker's change in potential energy is 979608 joules. Hence, this is the required solution.

Answer 2

the change in potential energy is equal to 980.6 kJ

Step-by-step explanation:

given,

mass of hiker = 73.5 Kg

elevation of hiker(h₁) = 1300 m

and hiker climb upto (h₂)= 2660 m

change in potential energy =

= mg h₂- m g h₁

= 73.5 × 9.81 × 2660 - 73.5×9.81 × 1300

= 980,607 J

= 980.6 kJ

the change in potential energy is equal to 980.6 kJ