A champion athlete can produce one horsepower (746 W) for a short period of time. The number of 16 cm high steps a 70 kg athlete could ascend in one minute while expending one horsepower is

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To calculate the number of steps, first convert horsepower to watts: 1 horsepower = 746 watts. The work done (in joules) in one minute (60 seconds) is power (in watts) times time (in seconds), so 746 watts * 60 seconds = 44,760 joules. The work done to lift the athlete against gravity is given by the formula Work = mgh, where m is mass in kg, g is acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), and h is height in meters. To find the number of steps, divide the total work by the work to climb one step. Each step is 16 cm = 0.16 meters high, so the work to climb one step is 70 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 0.16 m = 109.76 joules. Therefore, the number of steps climbed in one minute is 44,760 joules / 109.76 joules/step ≈ 408 steps.

A Champion Athlete Can Produce One Horsepower (746 W) for a Short