Question

a 15000 kg airplane descends a vertical distance of 10.0 km over a horizontal distance of 80.0 km. What is the airplane's loss of potential energy.

(I'm confused about the height)

Ep=mgh
m= 15000 kg
g= 9.81 m/s^2
h=??

Answer 1

10,000 meters
the horizontal distance is irrelevant.

Answer 2

Thanks!

Answer 3

You are welcome. Remember potential is always a difference (In height, voltage, whatever).