Question

the tallest indoor drop tower ride is found in doha, qatar, with a height of 56 meters. what would be the gravitational potential energy of a 50 - kg man if the drop tower rides is on:

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the formula for gravitational potential energy

The formula for gravitational potential energy is \(U = mgh\), where \(m\) is the mass (\(m = 50\space kg\)), \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is the height (\(h=56\space m\)).

Step2: Determine the value of \(g\) for each planet

• Earth: \(g_{Earth}= 9.8\space m/s^{2}\approx10\space m/s^{2}\)

$$U_{Earth}=mgh = 50\times10\times56=28000\space J$$

• Mars: \(g_{Mars}\approx3.71\space m/s^{2}\)

$$U_{Mars}=mgh=50\times3.71\times56 = 50\times207.76 = 10388\space J$$

• Jupiter: \(g_{Jupiter}\approx24.79\space m/s^{2}\)

$$U_{Jupiter}=mgh=50\times24.79\times56=50\times1388.24 = 69412\space J$$

• Sun: \(g_{Sun}\approx274\space m/s^{2}\)

$$U_{Sun}=mgh=50\times274\times56=50\times15344=767200\space J$$

• Pluto: \(g_{Pluto}\approx0.62\space m/s^{2}\)

$$U_{Pluto}=mgh=50\times0.62\times56=50\times34.72 = 1736\space J$$

Answer:

Planet	Gravitational Potential Energy
Mars	\(10388\space J\)
Jupiter	\(69412\space J\)
Sun	\(767200\space J\)
Pluto	\(1736\space J\)