Question

consider a system of a cliff diver and the earth. the gravitational potential energy of the system decreases by 26,000 j as the diver drops to the water from a height of 35.0 m. determine her weight in newton

Answer 1

Ep = mgh

Where Ep is the change in gravitational potential energy, m is the mass of the diver, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the change in height above the ground.

W = mg

Where W is the weight of the diver.

Sub into the other equation:

Ep = Wh

Rearrange for W:

W = Ep/h

Sub in values and solve for W

W = 26000/35.0

W = 743N (3.s.f)