Question

an old man and his grandchild, both of the same mass, go up the stairs to their first-floor apartment. the child gets to the apartment well before his granddad. which one gained more potential energy? view available hint(s)

• both gained the same potential energy
• not enough information to answer
• the grandfather
• the child

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Explanation:

The formula for gravitational potential energy is \( PE = mgh \), where \( m \) is mass, \( g \) is acceleration due to gravity, and \( h \) is height. Both the old man and the child have the same mass (\( m \)) and move up the same height (\( h \)) to the first - floor apartment (assuming the same vertical distance from the ground to the first - floor). The time taken to reach the apartment (the child is faster) does not affect the potential energy, as potential energy depends on mass, gravity, and height, not on the time taken to move to that height. So, since \( m \), \( g \), and \( h \) are the same for both, their change in potential energy is the same.

Answer:

A. Both gained the same potential energy