Question

An 80 kg diver jumps from a 10 m high platform. What is the gravitational potential energy of the diver right before they jump (top of platform)

Answer 1

0 Joules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the following data;

Mass = 80kg

Height = 10m

Gravitational potential energy (GPE) is an energy possessed by an object or body due to its position above the earth.

Mathematically, gravitational potential energy is given by the formula;

`G.P.E = mgh`

Where;

G.P.E represents potential energy measured in Joules.

m represents the mass of an object.

g represents acceleration due to gravity measured in meters per seconds square.

h represents the height measured in meters.

We know that acceleration due to gravity is equal to 9.8m/s²

But since we're determining the gravitational potential energy just before the driver jump, the height would be zero (0) meters.

Gravitational potential energy= mgh

Gravitational potential energy = 80*9.8*0

Gravitational potential energy = 0 Joules.

This ultimately implies that, if an object or body hasn't moved (jumped) from its reference point, its gravitational potential energy would be equal to zero.