Question

A helicopter (m = 3250 kg) is cruising at a speed of 56.9 m/s at an altitude of 185 m. What is the total mechanical energy of the helicopter?

Answer 1

A helicopter (m = 3250 kg) is cruising at a speed of 56.9 m/s at an altitude of 185 m. What is the total mechanical energy of the helicopter?

Solution:

Total mechanical energy of the helicopter is the sum of kinetic and potential energy:

$$W = W_k + W_p = \frac{mV^2}{2} + mgh = \frac{3250kg \cdot \left(56.9 \frac{m}{s}\right)^2}{2} + 3250kg \cdot 9.8 \frac{m}{s^2} \cdot 185m = 11.2 \times 10^6 J$$

Answer: Total mechanical energy of the helicopter is 11.2 MJ.