Question

Charlie's father built a tree house in their backyard. He constructed a spiral staircase around the tree trunk and installed a ladder. Which will involve more work in climbing up the tree house from the ground?

Answer 1

The spiral staircase will require more work

Step-by-step explanation:

This is because, work can be calculated as force (which is mass of the individual climbing the stairs in this case) multiplied by distance (or length) of the stairs. The only variable that changes in the work done while climbing any of the two (ladder or spiral staircase) is the distance and it is obvious the length of the spiral staircase will be longer; thus the spiral staircase will involve more work.