Physics Gravitational potential energy PE is a measure of energy. PE varies directly with an object's mass m and its height h in meters above the ground. Physicists use g to represent the constant of variation, which is gravity.
The skateboarder in the photo has a mass of 58 kg and a potential energy of 2273.6 joules. What is the gravitational potential energy of a 65-kg skateboarder on the halfpipe shown?
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The potential energy of the second skateboarder |
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Step 1 Write the formula for potential energy.
Potential energy varies directly with mass and height.
Step 2 Use the given data to find g.
Step 3 Use the formula to find the potential energy of the second skateboarder.
The second skateboarder has 2548 joules of potential energy.