Question

Four weightlifters (A-D) enter a competition. The mass, distance, and time of their lifts are shown in the table.

Answer 1

Let Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pd be the powers delivered by weightlifters A, B, C, and D, respectively.

Use this equation to determine each power value:

P = W÷Δt

P is the power, W is the work done by the weightlifter, and Δt is the elapsed time.

A) Determining Pa:

Pa = W÷Δt

The weightlifter does work to lift the weight up a certain distance. Therefore the work done is equal to the weight's gain in gravitational potential energy. The equation for gravitational PE is

PE = mgh

PE is the potential energy, m is the mass of the weight, g is the acceleration of objects due to earth's gravity, and h is the distance the weight was lifted.

We can equate W = PE = mgh, therefore we can make the following substitution:

Pa = mgh÷Δt

Given values:

m = 100.0kg

g = 9.81m/s²

h = 2.25m

Δt = 0.151s

Plug in the values and solve for Pa

Pa = 100.0×9.81×2.25÷0.151

Pa = 14600W (watt is the SI derived unit of power)

B) Determining Pb:

Let us use our new equation derived in part A to solve for Pb:

Pb = mgh÷Δt

Given values:

m = 150.0kg

g = 9.81m/s²

h = 1.76m

Δt = 0.052s

Plug in the values and solve for Pb

Pb = 150.0×9.81×1.76÷0.052

Pb = 49800W

C) Determining Pc:

Pc = mgh÷Δt

Given values:

m = 200.0kg

g = 9.81m/s²

h = 1.50m

Δt = 0.217s

Plug in the values and solve for Pc

Pc = 200.0×9.81×1.50÷0.217

Pc = 13600W

D) Determining Pd:

Pd = mgh÷Δt

Given values:

m = 250.0kg

g = 9.81m/s²

h = 1.25m

Δt = 0.206s

Plug in the values and solve for Pd

Pd = 250.0×9.81×1.25÷0.206

Pd = 14900W

Compare the following power values:

Pa = 14600W, Pb = 49800W, Pc = 13600W, Pd = 14900W

Pc is the lowest value.

Therefore, weightlifter C delivers the least power.