Question

using this simulation, what did the lecturer do to increase the potential energy of the skater the most based on the bar graph?
lifted the skater off the ground but did not change the mass
increased the skaters mass and raised them off the ground
put the skater on the flat ground instead of the ramp

Explanation:

The gravitational - potential energy formula is $U = mgh$, where $m$ is mass, $g$ is the acceleration due to gravity, and $h$ is height. Increasing both mass and height will increase potential energy the most compared to just increasing height (lifting off the ground without changing mass) or putting the skater on flat ground (which would likely decrease height - related potential energy).

Answer:

Increased the skater's mass and raised them off the ground