Question

At least how many Calories does a mountain climber need in order to climb from sea level to the top of a 5.42 km tall peak assuming the muscles of the climber can convert chemical energy to mechanical energy with an efficiency of 16.0 percent. The total mass of the climber and the equipment is 78.4 kg. (Enter your answer as a number without units.)

Answer 1

Ec = 6220.56 kcal

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to calculate the amount of Calories needed by the climber, you first have to calculate the work done by the climber against the gravitational force.

You use the following formula:

`W_c=Mgh` (1)

Wc: work done by the climber

g: gravitational constant = 9.8 m/s^2

M: mass of the climber = 78.4 kg

h: height reached by the climber = 5.42km = 5420 m

You replace in the equation (1):

`W_c=(78.4kg)(9.8m/s^2)(5420m)=4,164,294.4\ J` (2)

Next, you use the fact that only 16.0% of the chemical energy is convert to mechanical energy. The energy calculated in the equation (2) is equivalent to the mechanical energy of the climber. Then, you have the following relation for the Calories needed:

`0.16(E_c)=4,164,294.4J`

Ec: Calories

You solve for Ec and convert the result to Cal:

`E_c=(4,164,294.4)/(016)=26,026,840J*(1kcal)/(4184J)\\\\E_c=6220.56\ kcal`

The amount of Calories needed by the climber was 6220.56 kcal