How can the potential energy of an Olympic ski jumper be increased?

Question

Group of answer choices

by increasing the height of the hill the jumper is skiing down

by decreasing the height of the hill the jumper is skiing down

by increasing the length of the skis that the jumper is using

by decreasing the length of the skis that the jumper is using

Answer 1

The potential energy (PE) of an object is given by the formula:

\[ PE = mgh \]

where:

• \( m \) is the mass of the object,
• \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s²),
• \( h \) is the height above a reference point.

To increase the potential energy of an Olympic ski jumper, the height \( h \) must be increased.

Therefore, the correct choice would be:

by increasing the height of the hill the jumper is skiing down.