Question

A roller-coaster car is at the top of a hill. The car and its passengers have a combined mass of 1,088 kilograms. If the hill is 62 meters tall, how much potential energy does the car have?

PE=mgh


(1 point)
Responses

1,159.8 J
1,159.8 J

661,068.8 J
661,068.8 J

330,534.4 J
330,534.4 J

67,456 J
67,456 J

Answer 1

To calculate the potential energy (PE) of the roller-coaster car at the top of the hill, we can use the formula:

\[ PE = mgh \]

where:
- \( m \) = mass (in kilograms) = 1,088 kg
- \( g \) = acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \))
- \( h \) = height (in meters) = 62 m

Now, let's plug in the values:

\[ PE = 1,088 \, \text{kg} \times 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \times 62 \, \text{m} \]

Now calculate it step-by-step:

1. Calculate \( g \times h \):
\[ 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \times 62 \, \text{m} = 609.42 \, \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 \]

2. Now calculate \( PE \):
\[ PE = 1,088 \, \text{kg} \times 609.42 \, \text{m}^2/\text{s}^2 \approx 663,153.76 \, \text{J} \]

Thus, rounding to the nearest whole number gives approximately **663,154 J**. However, out of the options provided, it seems the closest match is:

**661,068.8 J**

So the answer is:

**661,068.8 J**