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AP Physics C (Mech)
Work & Energy
OS-UP-8-35 · OpenStax University Physics Volume 1

Conservation of Energy (Problem 35)

Ignoring details associated with friction, extra forces exerted by arm and leg muscles, and other factors, we can consider a pole vault as the conversion of an athlete’s running kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy. If an athlete is to lift their body 4.8 m during a vault, what speed must they have when they plant the pole?