A 58kg person walks down a flight of stairs. Use the ground as the reference level. Calculate the person’s gravitational potential energy at the top of the stairs, on the landing, and at ground level.
To calculate the gravitational potential energy at different levels for the 58kg person, we need to use the formula:
Gravitational Potential Energy (PE) = mass (m) x gravitational acceleration (g) x height (h)
Given:
Mass (m) = 58kg
Gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8 m/s² (standard value on Earth)
1. At the top of the stairs:
As the person is at the top of the stairs, the height (h) is the maximum.
Let's assume the height of the stairs is 7 meters (this value is needed to make the calculations). You can replace it with the actual height if provided.
PE(top) = 58kg x 9.8 m/s² x 7m = 4004 Joules
2. On the landing:
Assuming there is no change in the height, the gravitational potential energy on the landing is the same as at the top.
PE(landing) = 4004 Joules
3. At ground level:
As the ground is the reference level, the height (h) is zero.
PE(ground level) = 58kg x 9.8 m/s² x 0m = 0 Joules
Therefore, the gravitational potential energy at different levels are:
1. Top of the stairs (maximum height): 4004 Joules
2. On the landing: 4004 Joules
3. Ground level (reference level): 0 Joules