Question

A 60kg hiker climbs up to the top of a hill that is 250m vertically above the starting position. The change is gravitational potential energy is

Answer 1

potential energy down the mountain

$M_0= m \cdot g \cdot h_0=60 \cdot 9.81 \cdot 0 =0$

potential energy on top of a mountain

$M= m \cdot g \cdot h=60 \cdot 9.81 \cdot 250 =1.471 \cdot 10^5 J$

Change in gravitational potential energy

$\Delta M= M-M_0=1.471 \cdot 10^5-0=1.471 \cdot 10^5J$