Verified Solution Science Work, Energy, and Simple Machines

A person lifts a 20 kg suitcase to a height of 1.5 m. The work done by the person is 300 J. What is the efficiency of the person as a 'lifting machine' if we consider their energy expenditure?

6 views 1 helpful Updated Jul 5, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • A75%
  • B50%
  • C100%
  • D66.7%
Explanation

Work done against gravity = mgh = 20 kg * 10 m/s² * 1.5 m = 300 J. If the person's output work (lifting the suitcase) is 300 J and the energy input as 'work done by the person' is stated as 300 J, then efficiency would be (Output Work / Input Work) * 100% = (300 J / 300 J) * 100% = 100%. This is an ideal scenario for the 'person as a machine' calculation, implying no internal losses for the output work itself.

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