Asked by qp

Hiker A has a body mass of 60 kg and carries a 10-kg pack. Hiker B has a body mass of 70 kg and carries a 20-kg pack. At the top of the mountain they’re climbing, which hiker has the most gravitational potential energy?

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Gravitational potential energy is mgh (mass × g × height). Both are at the same height, so compare total masses:

- Hiker A: 60 + 10 = 70 kg → PE_A = 70 g h
- Hiker B: 70 + 20 = 90 kg → PE_B = 90 g h

Hiker B has the larger gravitational potential energy (90 g h vs 70 g h), about 90/70 ≈ 1.29 times, i.e. ~29% more.