High School

How much gravitational potential energy does a 75-kg diver have when stepping off the edge of a 5-m platform?

1) 375 J
2) 15 J
3) 147 J
4) 3,675 J

Answer :

Final answer:

The gravitational potential energy of a 75-kg diver stepping off a 5-m platform is calculated as 3,675 J using the formula GPE = mgh, where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the platform.

Explanation:

To determine the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of a 75-kg diver stepping off the edge of a 5-m platform, we use the formula GPE = mgh, where:

  • m is the mass of the diver,
  • g is the acceleration due to gravity, and
  • h is the height of the platform.

Given:

  • m = 75 kg (mass of the diver),
  • g = 9.8 m/s2 (acceleration due to gravity), and
  • h = 5 m (height of the platform).

Then, GPE = (75 kg) × (9.8 m/s2) × (5 m) = 3,675 J.

Hence, the diver has 3,675 J of gravitational potential energy when stepping off the platform.