While riding a chairlift, a 55 kg skier is raised a vertical distance of 370 m. what is the total change in the skier's gravitional potential energy?
given:
m = 55 kg
d = 370 m
When i used PE = mgh, the answer was 199,430, i know its wrong since the answer is something else. But what equation can i use?
You sure it’s not rounded to 2.0 x 10^5 J?
To calculate the total change in the skier's gravitational potential energy, you can use the equation:
ΔPE = mgh
Where:
ΔPE is the change in gravitational potential energy
m is the mass of the skier (55 kg in this case)
g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²)
h is the vertical distance the skier is raised (370 m in this case)
Using this equation, you can calculate the change in gravitational potential energy as follows:
ΔPE = (55 kg) x (9.8 m/s²) x (370 m)
Calculating this:
ΔPE ≈ 199,430 J
Therefore, the change in the skier's gravitational potential energy while riding the chairlift is approximately 199,430 Joules, which is the same result you obtained.
To calculate the total change in the skier's gravitational potential energy, you can use the equation:
ΔPE = m * g * Δh
where:
ΔPE is the change in gravitational potential energy
m is the mass of the skier (55 kg)
g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²)
Δh is the change in height (370 m)
Plugging in the values, the equation becomes:
ΔPE = 55 kg * 9.8 m/s² * 370 m
Simplifying:
ΔPE = 199,430 N·m (or Joules)
So, based on the calculations, the total change in the skier's gravitational potential energy is 199,430 Joules. It appears that your initial calculation was correct.