On August 13, 2001, the Helios Prototype (HP01) robotic aircraft which is an unmanned aircraft with solar power has reached a height of 96 863 feet or 29523.8424 m above sea level with a weight of almost 600 kg has made history as a non- rocket powered aircraft that has been successfully flown. Calculate the gravitational potential energy of this Helios Prototype (HP 01) aircraft at an altitude of 29,500m using the formula, Potential energy = mgh , (g = 10ms ̄²)

To calculate the gravitational potential energy (GPE) of the Helios Prototype (HP01) aircraft at an altitude of 29,500 meters, we use the formula for gravitational potential energy:

\[
\text{Potential Energy (PE)} = mgh
\]

where:
- \(m\) is the mass of the aircraft (600 kg),
- \(g\) is the gravitational acceleration (10 m/s²),
- \(h\) is the altitude (29,500 meters).

Now, substituting the values:

\[
\text{PE} = 600 \, \text{kg} \times 10 \, \text{m/s}^2 \times 29,500 \, \text{m}
\]

Let’s calculate this:

\[
\text{PE} = 600 \times 10 \times 29,500 = 177,000,000 \, \text{Joules}
\]

Thus, the gravitational potential energy of the Helios Prototype at 29,500 meters is **177,000,000 Joules** (or **177 MJ**).

Would you like further details or clarifications on any step?

Here are five related questions:
1. How does gravitational potential energy change with altitude?
2. What would be the energy if the altitude were doubled?
3. How does the mass of an object affect its potential energy?
4. How would the potential energy differ if the value of \(g\) were 9.8 m/s² instead of 10 m/s²?
5. Can you explain how gravitational potential energy relates to kinetic energy in flight?

**Tip:** Gravitational potential energy depends only on height, mass, and gravity, so changing any of these factors will directly affect the total potential energy.

Learn how to calculate the gravitational potential energy of the Helios Prototype (HP01) aircraft at an altitude of 29,500 meters using the formula PE = mgh. The aircraft weighs 600 kg and is subject to a gravitational acceleration of 10 m/s², resulting in a potential energy of 177,000,000 Joules. Ideal for Grades 9-12 physics students.

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