Question

The roller coaster car and its passengers have a combined total mass of 350 kg. If the height of the car from the ground is 95 meters, what is the potential energy of the car at this height? (Use g ≈ 9.81 m/s²)

A) 325,207.5 joules
B) 2,815.5 joules
C) 8,452.5 joules
D) 14,536.5 joules

Answer 1

The potential energy of the roller coaster car and its passengers at a height of 95 meters is calculated using the formula PE = mgh, which results in 325,207.5 joules, making option A the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the potential energy of the roller coaster car and its passengers at a height of 95 meters, we use the formula for gravitational potential energy:

PE = mgh

where:

• m is the mass of the object in kilograms,
• g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s2 on Earth's surface),
• h is the height above ground in meters.

By plugging in the given values:

PE = (350 kg)(9.81 m/s2)(95 m)

PE = 325,207.5 joules

Therefore, the correct answer is A) 325,207.5 joules.