Question

A 60 kg student dives off a 32-m -high bridge with an 18-m -long bungee cord tied to his feet and to the bridge. What is the potential energy of the student at the top of the bridge?

1) 960 J
2) 1,152 J
3) 1,440 J
4) 1,728 J

Answer 1

The potential energy of the student at the top of the bridge is calculated using the formula PE = mgh. With the mass of 60 kg, gravity at 9.8 m/s², and a height of 32 meters, the potential energy is 18,816 J, which does not match any of the given options.

Step-by-step explanation:

The potential energy of a student at the top of the bridge can be calculated using the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is PE = mgh where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height. In this case, the mass m is 60 kg, the acceleration due to gravity g is 9.8 m/s² (standard on Earth's surface), and the height h is 32 meters.

Plugging in the values, we get:

PE = 60 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 32 m = 18,816 J (joules).

Therefore, none of the given options matches the correct calculation. The correct potential energy of the student at the top of the bridge is 18,816 J.