Final answer:
The gravitational potential energy lost by an 84.0 kg skydiver during the fall from 1 060 m to 175 m is calculated using the formula PE = mgh, which results in a loss of 732,366 J of energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gravitational potential energy lost by a skydiver during a fall is calculated using the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is PE = mgh, where m is the mass of the skydiver, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2), and h is the change in altitude.
For the 84.0 kg skydiver who jumps from an altitude of 1 060 m and opens the parachute at an altitude of 175 m, the change in altitude h is 1 060 m - 175 m = 885 m. Substituting the given values into the formula, we get: PE = (84.0 kg)(9.81 m/s2)(885 m).
Performing the multiplication, the gravitational potential energy lost by the skydiver is 732,366 J (rounded to three significant digits).