Gravitational potential energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the change in gravitational potential energy for a skier using the formula dU = mg dH. The skier, weighing 70.0 kg, rides a 2860 m lift inclined at an angle of 14.8°. To find the change in height (dH), the vertical component of the lift must be determined using trigonometric functions. The final equation to compute the gravitational potential energy change is dU = mg(h2 - h1).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential energy (dU = mg dH)
  • Basic trigonometry for calculating vertical components
  • Knowledge of mass and weight concepts
  • Familiarity with inclined planes in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to calculate vertical height using trigonometric functions (h = L sin(θ))
  • Study the principles of gravitational potential energy in different contexts
  • Explore the concept of inclined planes and their applications in physics
  • Review examples of energy conservation in mechanical systems
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Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding gravitational potential energy calculations.

shawonna23
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A 70.0 kg skier rides a 2860 m long lift to the top of a mountain. The lift makes an angle of 14.8° with the horizontal. What is the change in the skier's gravitational potential energy?

What equation would I use to solve this problem?
 
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shawonna23 said:
A 70.0 kg skier rides a 2860 m long lift to the top of a mountain. The lift makes an angle of 14.8° with the horizontal. What is the change in the skier's gravitational potential energy?

What equation would I use to solve this problem?

First of all since the lift is an inclined plane, there is a horizontal and vertical component when 2860 is the hypothenuse

find the vertical component

vertical component is now the dH is dU = MG dH
 
Last edited:
i don't understand what you are saying. What is dU and dH?
 
shawonna23 said:
i don't understand what you are saying. What is dU and dH?

dU = the change in gravitational potential energy

dH = the change in height

Because

dU = mgh2 = mgh1 = mg (h2 - h1) = mg dH
 
Remember the trajectory doesn't matter for the gravity potential energy, only the change of height.
 
You know the mass, the unknown is the height.

If the hypotenuse of a triangle is 2860 meters long and the angle is 14.8 degrees what is h?

Then mass x height = potential energy.

:)

Kirk
 

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