Final answer:
To find Maria's mechanical energy while parachuting, sum her kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy. Calculate kinetic energy with 1/2 mv^2 and potential energy with mgh, then add both for the total mechanical energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mechanical energy of Maria while parachuting can be calculated using the sum of her kinetic and potential energy. Using the formula for kinetic energy (KE) KE = 1/2 m v^2, where m is mass and v is velocity. For Maria, KE = 1/2 × 66.0 kg × (12.0 m/s)^2. Using the formula for gravitational potential energy (GPE) GPE = mgh, where h is the height above ground and g is the acceleration due to gravity. For Maria, GPE = 66.0 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 210 m. The total mechanical energy (TME) of Maria is the sum of KE and GPE, so TME = KE + GPE.