Question

As someone approaches the end of a pier, their gravitational potential energy would ___​

Answer 1

The gravitational potential energy of someone approaching the end of a pier would remain unchanged as the vertical height from the Earth's surface does not significantly change.

Step-by-step explanation:

As someone approaches the end of a pier, their gravitational potential energy would remain essentially unchanged because the height above Earth's surface does not significantly change. Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is given by the formula GPE = mgh, where m is mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height above the reference point. Since the height (h) over a pier does not vary dramatically, there is no significant change in GPE. It is important to note that only vertical changes in position affect GPE, and that the GPE converts to kinetic energy as an object falls towards Earth, which results in an increase in the object's speed.