Question

Andre, whose mass is 77.1 kg, sits on a diving board above a dunk tank. If he is sitting 0.90 m above the water, what is his total mechanical energy?

J

Answer 1

Take gravitational potential energy relative to the water surface and zero kinetic energy (sitting).

E = mgh = (77.1 kg)(9.8 m/s^2)(0.90 m) = 6.80×10^2 J ≈ 680 J.