Question

Consider a system of an 85.0 kg man, his 14.5-kg dog, and the earth. The gravitational potential energy of the system increases by 1.85 103 J when the man climbs a spiral staircase from the first to the second floor of an apartment building. If his dog climbs a normal staircase from the same first floor to the second floor, by how much does the potential energy of the system increase (in J)

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Increase in gravitational potential energy = m x g x h

where m is mass , g is gravitational acceleration and h is height

In the first case when man climbs

increase in potential = 85 x g x h = 1.85 x 10³ J

gh = 21.7647

when dog climbs

increase in potential = 14.5 x g x h J

= 14.5 x 21.7647

= 315.6 J