Potential Energy Calculation of a Man in an Elevator

What is the change in potential energy of a 84.0 Kg man when he takes an elevator from the first floor to the 49th floor?

Given the distance between floors is 4.59 M.

How do we calculate the change in potential energy in this scenario?

Answer:

The change in potential energy for a 84.0 Kg man going from the first floor to the 49th floor of a building, with each floor being 4.59 m apart, is approximately 1.86 x 10^6 Joules.

To calculate the change in potential energy, we use the formula PE = mgh, where 'm' is the mass of the man (84.0 kg), 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s²), and 'h' is the total height the man ascends.

First, we find the total height 'h' by multiplying the number of floors (49 floors) by the height of each floor (4.59 m), which gives us 224.91 m in total height.

Next, we substitute the values of 'm', 'g', and 'h' into the formula: PE = 84 kg * 9.81 m/s² * 224.91 m, resulting in approximately 1.86 x 10^6 Joules as the change in potential energy.

It's fascinating to see the amount of potential energy involved in a simple elevator ride, showcasing the wonders of physics in everyday activities!