Question

The lowest point in Death Valley is 85 m below sea level. The summit of nearby Mt. Whitney has an elevation of 4420 m.What is the change in potential energy of an energetic 65 kg hiker who makes it from the floor of Death Valley to the top of Mt.Whitney?

Answer 1

Answer:

$\Delta E=2.87\times 10^6\ J$

Explanation:

It is given that,

Depth of Death valley is 85 m below sea level, $h_i=-85\ m$

The summit of nearby Mt. Whitney has an elevation of 4420 m, $h_f=4420\ m$

Mass of the hiker, m = 65 kg

We need to find the change in potential energy. It is given by :

$\Delta E=mg(h_f-h_i)$

$\Delta E=65\times 9.8(4420-(-85))$

$\Delta E=2869685\ J$

or

$\Delta E=2.87\times 10^6\ J$

So, the change in potential energy of the hiker is $2.87\times 10^6\ J$. Hence, this is the required solution.