Question

A helicopter (m = 3250 kg) is cruising at a speed of 56.9 m/s atan altitude of 185 m. What is the total mechanical energy of thehelicopter?A) 6.91 x 107 JB) 5.26 x 107 JC) 1.12x 108 JD) 2.27 x 108 JE) 3.91 x 107 J

Answer 1

Answer:

The mechanical energy of the helicopter is $1.12\times 10^7\ J$.

Explanation:

It is given that,

Mass of the helicopter, m = 3250 kg

Speed of the helicopter, v = 56.9 m/s

Position of the helicopter, h = 185 m

The energy possessed by an object due to its motion is called its kinetic energy. It is given by :

$E=\dfrac{1}{2}mv^2$

$E=\dfrac{1}{2}\times 3250\times (56.9)^2$  

$E=5.26\times 10^6\ J$

The energy possessed by an object due to its position is called its potential energy. It is given by :

$E=mgh$

$E=3250\times 9.8\times 185$  

$E=5.89\times 10^6\ J$

The sum of kinetic and potential energy is called mechanical energy of the system. It is given by :

$M=5.26\times 10^6+5.89\times 10^6$

$M=11.15\times 10^6\ J$

or

$M=1.12\times 10^7\ J$

So, the mechanical energy of the helicopter is $1.12\times 10^7\ J$. Hence, this is the required solution.