Final answer:
To calculate the gravitational potential energy of an aircraft with a mass of 6,000 kg at an altitude of 8,000 meters, use the formula PE = mgh, giving PE = 47,088,000 Joules or 47.088 × 10⁶ J.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is the calculation of gravitational potential energy (PE), which falls within the subject of Physics. This is typically a high school-level problem in a course on physics or general science that includes studying the laws of motion and energy.
The formula for gravitational potential energy is PE = mgh, where:
- m is the mass of the object (in kilograms),
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s² on Earth's surface),
- h is the height above the reference level (in meters).
To calculate the gravitational potential energy of an aircraft with a mass of 6,000 kg cruising at an altitude of 8000 meters, we use the following values:
- m = 6,000 kg,
- g = 9.81 m/s²,
- h = 8,000 m.
By substituting these values into the formula, we get:
PE = (6,000 kg) × (9.81 m/s²) × (8,000 m)
PE = 47,088,000 Joules or 47.088 × 10⁶ J
Thus, the gravitational potential energy of the aircraft at 8000 meters altitude is 47.088 × 10⁶ Joules.