Question

When a person sits erect, increasing the vertical position of their brain by 36.0 cm, the heart must continue to pump blood to the brain at the same rate.

(a) What is the gain in gravitational potential energy for 100 mL of blood raised 36.0 cm?
a) 3.53 J
b) 0.353 J
c) 35.3 J
d) 353 J

Answer 1

The gain in gravitational potential energy for 100 mL of blood raised 36.0 cm is 0.353 J. The gain in gravitational potential energy and the decrease in pressure are related.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the gain in gravitational potential energy for 100 mL of blood raised 36.0 cm, we can use the formula:

Gravitational potential energy = mass × acceleration due to gravity × height

Given that the height is 36.0 cm and the mass of the blood is 100 mL, which is equivalent to 100 g, the calculation would be:

Gravitational potential energy = 0.1 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 0.36 m = 0.353 J

Therefore, the gain in gravitational potential energy for 100 mL of blood raised 36.0 cm is 0.353 J.

The gain in gravitational potential energy and the decrease in pressure are related because both are forms of energy that are dependent on the height or vertical position of an object.