What is the gravitational potential energy of a 61.2-kg person standing on the roof of a 10-story building relative to the tenth floor, sixth floor, and first floor? Each story is 3.50 m high.

I Don't understand this at all :( please help me

1 Answer
Feb 28, 2018

Gravitational Potential Energy = m*g*h

Explanation:

In your case, you can calculate the GPE at each height.

Starting at the top, m = 61.2kg g = 9.8 m/s^2 h = 3.5*10= 35m

So, your max GPE is 61.2*9.8*35 = 20991.6 Joules

The next height is th 6th floor, so it is 3.5m*6=21m high

The GPE at 21 m on the 6th floor is 61.2*9.8*21=12594.96 J

So, the difference between the 10th and 6th floor is 20991.6-12594.96=8396.64 J

Repeat those calculations for the first floor, and you can compare GPE at each height and find the difference in GPE between any two floors