Question

In a scene in an action movie, a stuntman jumps from the top of one building to the top of another building 4.00 m away. After a running start, he leaps at an angle of 15.0 with respect to the flat roof while traveling at a speed of 5.00 m/s. what is his gravitational potential energy from the top of the building to the top of the car?

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of a 1 kg brick at the top of a 4 m high roof is 40 J. When the brick reaches the ground, its gravitational potential energy is 0 J.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked to calculate the gravitational potential energy of the brick at the top of the roof and when it reaches the ground. Gravitational potential energy (G.P.E.) can be calculated using the formula G.P.E. = mgh, where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height.

For the brick at the top of a 4 m high roof, the calculation is:

• m (mass) = 1 kg
• g (acceleration due to gravity) ≈ 10 m/s²
• h (height) = 4 m

Using the formula:

G.P.E. = 1 kg * 10 m/s² * 4 m

= 40 J (Joules)

Once the brick has fallen, its height h is 0, so the G.P.E. on the ground is:

G.P.E. = 1 kg * 10 m/s² * 0 m

= 0 J