Final answer:
Climbing a mountain via a zigzag path is easier due to the less steep angle, which reduces the intensity of exertion and allows for a more efficient use of energy. Gravitational potential energy gained is the same regardless of the path taken, but the energy consumed is lower on a zigzag path due to reduced immediate effort and better distribution of energy use.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is easier to climb a mountain on a zigzag path rather than going straight up because of the reduced steepness and less immediate energy consumption. When you climb up a zigzag path, you are effectively extending the distance over which you elevate yourself to the same height as compared to a straight path up the side of a mountain. This extended distance means that the force of gravity against which you work is applied over a longer period, reducing the immediate intensity of exertion and the angle of ascent.
While your increase in gravitational potential energy remains the same in both cases, because it is dependent only on the height reached and not the path taken, the energy consumption is different. The lesser steepness of the zigzag path allows your muscles to work more efficiently, decreasing the overall physiological effort. This is due to the fact that dramatic efforts over shorter periods, as would occur on a steeper path, often lead to quicker fatigue and higher immediate energy demands on the body. Additionally, the zigzag pathway allows for periodic rests and recovery, offering a more sustainable effort over time.
In energy system terms, taking a zigzag path minimizes energy losses to factors like heat due to excessive effort and allows for more efficient use of energy reserves. Therefore, while the total gravitational potential energy change is constant, the real-life energy requirements for climbing a mountain are less on a zigzag path due to the optimized distribution of effort.