A helicopter is flying at a height of 1.5km. If it has 50MJ of G. P. E., what is the mass of the helicopter?

3401.36 kg

Explanation:

Applying

P. E = mgh ... Equation 1

Where P. E = potential energy of the helicopter, m = mass of the helicopter, h = height of the helicopter.

make m the subject of the equation

m = P. E/gh ... Equation 2

Given: h = 1.5 km = 1500 m, P. E = 50 MJ = 50*10⁶ J

Constant: g = 9.8 m/s²

Substitute into equation 2

m = 50*10⁶ / (1500*9.8)

m = 50*10⁶/14700

m = 3401.36 kg.

Hence the mass of the helicopter = 3401.36 kg

Given that,

Height of the helicopter is 1.5km

h = 1.5km = 1500m

And the gravitational potential energy is 50MJ

P. E = 50 MJ = 50 * 10^6 J

The gravitational force pulling the helicopter downward is 9.81m/s²

g = 9.81m/s²

So, we want to find the mass of the helicopter

Potential energy of a free fall body is given as

P. E = mgh

50 * 10^6 = m * 9.81 * 1500

50 * 10^6 = m * 14715

Then, divided both side by 14715

m = 50 * 10^6 / 14715

m = 3397.89 kg

m ≈ 3400 kg

The mass of the helicopter is approximately 3400kg