Final answer:
An 8% slope indicates that for every 100 units of horizontal distance, there is an 8 unit rise in vertical distance, making the correct answer A. Vertical distance/horizontal distance=8%.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to determine which percentage correctly represents the ratio of the vertical distance to the horizontal distance for a hiker walking up an 8% slope. An 8% incline means that for every 100 units of horizontal distance, there is an 8 unit rise in vertical distance. Therefore, the correct answer is:
A. Vertical distance/horizontal distance=8%
In the scenario described, the 68-kilogram hiker is ascending a slope with an 8% incline. The indicated incline of 8% signifies that for every 100 units of horizontal distance traveled, there is an 8-unit increase in vertical distance. In other words, the slope rises 8 meters for every 100 meters traveled horizontally. This measurement is commonly used to express the steepness of inclines or slopes.
As the hiker walks at a speed of 5.0 kilometers per hour, they are exerting effort not only to cover the horizontal distance but also to overcome the vertical ascent. The hiker's weight and the incline contribute to the overall work against gravity. Understanding the slope percentage is crucial for assessing the energy expenditure and difficulty level of the hike, as steeper inclines demand more energy to ascend.