Question

the new furniture for the english departments writers lounge has just arrived and is down at the loading dock. a 200 - newton force is used to pull a 38.8 kg furniture crate up the loading dock to a height of 3.82 meters at a constant speed. determine the increase in potential energy of the crate.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall gravitational PE formula

The formula for gravitational potential energy increase is $\Delta PE = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is gravitational acceleration ($9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$), and $h$ is height.

Step2: Substitute given values

$m = 38.8\ \text{kg}$, $g = 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$, $h = 3.82\ \text{m}$
$\Delta PE = 38.8 \times 9.8 \times 3.82$

Step3: Calculate the product

First compute $38.8 \times 9.8 = 380.24$, then $380.24 \times 3.82 \approx 1452.52$

Answer:

Approximately 1453 Joules (or 1450 Joules if rounded to two significant figures, but the precise calculation gives ~1453 J)