Answer
a. $PE_1=122J$
b. $PE_2=243J$
c. $PE_3=365J$
d. $PE_n=(122n)J$
e. $\Delta PE=-486J$
Work Step by Step
If the height of a step is H, the potential energy is “quantized” in units of mgH.
a. $PE_1=mgH=(62.0kg)(9.80m/s^2)(0.200m)=122J$.
b. $PE_2=mg2H=(62.0kg)(9.80m/s^2)2(0.200m)=243J$.
c. $PE_3=mgH=(62.0kg)(9.80m/s^2)3(0.200m)=365J$.
d. $PE_n=mgH=(62.0kg)(9.80m/s^2)n(0.200m)=(122n)J$.
e. $\Delta PE=mg(2-6)H=(62.0kg)(9.80m/s^2)(-4)(0.200m)=-486J$.
