Final answer:
The gravitational potential energy gained by the firefighter is found by using the formula GPE = mgh. Plugging in the mass of 79.0 kg, the acceleration due to gravity of 9.8 m/s², and the height of 29.0 m, the result is 22,091 Joules. The correct answer is a) 22,091 J.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the gravitational potential energy gained by the firefighter, we can use the formula for gravitational potential energy (GPE), which is GPE = mgh, where:
- m is the mass of the object in kilograms,
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²), and
- h is the height in meters that the object is raised.
In this case, the firefighter's mass, m, is 79.0 kg, the acceleration due to gravity, g, is 9.8 m/s², and the height, h, is 29.0 m. Plugging these values into the formula, we get:
GPE = 79.0 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 29.0 m = 22,091 J.
Therefore, the correct answer is a) 22,091 J, which represents the gravitational potential energy gained by the firefighter after climbing a flight of stairs 29.0 m high.