Final answer:
To find the gravitational potential energy of an 84 kg person atop Mt. Everest at 8,848 m, use the formula G.P.E. = mgh. The answer is calculated by multiplying the mass (84 kg), the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²), and the altitude (8,848 m).
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the gravitational potential energy of an object, you can use the formula G.P.E. = mgh, where m is the mass of the object in kilograms (84 kg in this case), g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximated as 9.81 m/s² on Earth's surface), and h is the height above the reference point in meters (8,848 m for the altitude of Mt. Everest). By plugging these values into the equation, we obtain the gravitational potential energy at Mt. Everest's summit when compared to sea level.
So, the calculation would be G.P.E. = 84 kg × 9.81 m/s² × 8,848 m. Performing the multiplication gives us the gravitational potential energy in Joules (J).
It's important to note that the gravitational potential energy will be higher at the summit of Mt. Everest compared to sea level, because the person is at a greater height relative to the reference point, which is sea level here.