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.