What is the minimum amount of energy required for an \( 80-\mathrm{kg} \) climber carrying a 20 - kg pack to climb Mt. Everest, 8850 m high? 1) 8.67 MJ 2) 4.16 MJ 3) 2.47 MJ 4) 1.00 MJ 5) 0.872 MJ

To calculate the minimum amount of energy required for the climber and their pack to ascend Mt. Everest, we can use the formula for gravitational potential energy, which is given by: \[ E = mgh \] where: - \( E \) is the energy in joules, - \( m \) is the total mass in kilograms (climber + pack), - \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately \( 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)), - \( h \) is the height in meters. Here, the total mass \( m = 80 \, \text{kg} + 20 \, \text{kg} = 100 \, \text{kg} \) and \( h = 8850 \, \text{m} \). Calculating it out: \[ E = 100 \, \text{kg} \times 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2 \times 8850 \, \text{m} \] \[ E = 8,683,500 \, \text{J} \approx 8.67 \, \text{MJ} \] So the minimum amount of energy required is approximately \( 8.67 \, \text{MJ} \), corresponding to option 1. To really get the pulse of climbing, remember that the energy calculated is purely theoretical and doesn't account for factors like exhaustion, altitude sickness, or the need for food and hydration on such rigorous climbs! Climbing Everest is as much about mental stamina as it is about physical energy! If you're fascinated by the challenges of climbers, exploring the histories of notable ascents can be inspiring! Stories of climbers who faced adversity, like Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, or the tragic expeditions of climbers in the “Death Zone” make the tales of Everest even more captivating. Plus, delving into the science behind acute mountain sickness (AMS) could gain you insights into why altitude poses such a significant challenge!