Energy Cost of Stair Climbing for Average-Sized Individuals

[kthejohnster]

Homework Statement

How much mechanical energy is needed for avg size person to climb climb up nine flights of stairs?

Homework Equations

E=KE+PE
PE=mgh
KE=1/2mv^2

The Attempt at a Solution

person is about 80kg
g=9.8ms^-2
h is about 3 meters per floor for 10 floors = 30m

so at top, when the person stops climbing there is only PE so E=0+80*9.8*30=23520J

isn't this only like 4 kcals? doesn't that seem low?

 

[edgepflow]

Your equation is OK. Did not check your numbers.

Maybe that is why people need to climb many stairs to lose weight!