An 85-kg hiker climbs to the summit of Mount Mitchell in western North Carolina. During one 2.0-h period, the climber's vertical elevation increases 540 m. Determine the change in gravitational potential energy of the climber-Earth system.

The change in gravitational potential energy of the climber-Earth system,

Explanation:

Given that,

Mass of the hiker, m = 85 kg

Time, t = 2 h

Vertical elevation of the climber, h = 540 m

We need to find the change in gravitational potential energy of the climber-Earth system. We know that due to change in position of an object, gravitational potential energy occurs. It is given by :

So, the change in gravitational potential energy of the climber-Earth system is . Hence, this is the required solution.  

temp rises, and expansion