Question

A 60 kg hiker with a 10 kg backpack a starts at the base of a mountain and climbs 400 m along a twisting trail. How much work did they do to reach the top?

Answer 1

To solve this problem we will apply the work theorem. The work theorem tells us that the energy applied to a body is equivalent to the Force by the distance traveled. In this case the force is equivalent to the same weight (net weight) and the distance traveled is 400m.

The net mass of the individual would be

$m = 60kg+10kg$

$m = 70kg$

Then the net Work made is

$W = F*d$

$W = mg*d$

$W = (70)(9.8)(400)$

$W = 274400 J$

Therefore the work that they do to reach the top is 274.4kJ