Squaw Valley ski area in California claims that its lifts can move 49800 people per hour. If the average lift carries people about 190 m (vertically) higher, estimate the maximum total power needed. (Assume an average mass per person of 70 kg.) W

1,803,036.67 W

Explanation:

Data provided in the question:

People per hour that can be moved by lift = 49800

Height of movement, h = 190 m

Average mass per person = 70 kg

Now,

Power = Rate of doing work

Thus,

Power = ΔU

= mgh

here,

m = total mass

g = acceleration due to gravity

or

Power = (70kg * 49800) (9.8) (190)

or

Power = 6,490,932,000 J per hour

also,

Watt = Joule/second

Therefore,

Power = 6,490,932,000 : 3600

= 1803036.67 W