Textbook Question
A 66.5-kg hiker starts at an elevation of 1150 m and climbs to the top of a peak 2660 m high. What is the hiker’s change in potential energy?
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10. Conservation of Energy
Gravitational Potential Energy
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What happens to the gravitational potential energy of an object as it moves up a pyramid?
A
The gravitational potential energy remains constant.
B
The gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
C
The gravitational potential energy decreases.
D
The gravitational potential energy increases.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that gravitational potential energy (GPE) is given by the formula: , where is the mass of the object, is the acceleration due to gravity, and is the height above a reference point.
Recognize that as the object moves up the pyramid, its height increases.
Since the mass and the acceleration due to gravity remain constant, the increase in height leads to an increase in gravitational potential energy .
Consider the energy conservation principle: as the object moves upward, its kinetic energy might decrease if it slows down, but the gravitational potential energy increases due to the increase in height.
Conclude that the gravitational potential energy of the object increases as it moves up the pyramid, which aligns with the correct answer provided.
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