Describe the energy transfers taking place when a person is running up a hill

Stored chemical energy from food is converted into kinetic energy (ke) as the person runs. As they are running uphill, the chemical energy is also converted into gravitational potential energy (gpe). The gpe increases as the person gets higher up the hill (remember the equation gpe = mgh). Assuming they run at a constant speed, the kinetic energy of the person remains constant (ke = 1/2mv^2). The process will also transfer some chemical energy into heat energy (wasted energy).

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Answered by Amy T. Physics tutor

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