ryudoradragon asked:


A single can of a regular soda, contains 150 calories that is equivalent to 6.28 x 105 J ( 1 Cal = 4186 J ) of energy. Using results from the previous question, calculate how many meters would that person ( 112.9 lb ) have to climb to convert all that energy into potential energy. Would that be enough energy to climb to the top of Sears Tower (442 m) in Chicago after drinking one can of a regular soda?

I got the height needed to convert all energy to be 1251m…
I’m thinking that one soda is enough, but I was wondering about energy released as heat and such… so is it enough?

apriljtr62674 asked:


A single can of a regular soda, contains 150 calories that is equivalent to 6.28 x 105 J ( 1 Cal = 4186 J ) of energy. Using results from the previous question, calculate how many meters would that person ( 160.4 lb ) have to climb to convert all that energy into potential energy. Would that be enough energy to climb to the top of Sears Tower (442 m) in Chicago after drinking one can of a regular soda?

hulahoops asked:


Hi Richard,

I was thinking of starting an “Office Stair Climb” contest. A lot of people take the elevator in the office and the benefits of taking the stairs far outweighs the elevator. Taking the stairs can burn a couple hundred calories a week and make for a more fit and productive staff. The contest that I had in mind would look something like this…. The employee would track how many times they climb the stairs and then track it on a poster in the kitchen. The goals would consist of something like the Washington Monument, then the Sears Tower, then Mount Washington, etc. I’m sure that not everyone will want to do it…but I think that it could spark some good competetion and level of fitness in the office.

The one caveat to this contest would be prizes awarded to the employee once you reach a certain height level. Richard would you consider sponsoring something like this? Prizes could consist of a gift cards, possibly to a restaurant, or starbucks, or smoothie king;or a couple hours of vacation time. It could look something like this:

Washington Monument — 555 feet — take the stairs 19 times — $5 gift card
Sears Tower — 1454 feet — take the stairs 49 times — $10 gift card
Mount Washington — 6288 feet — take the stairs 210 times — $20 gift card
Mt. Rainer — 14,410 feet — take the stairs 481 times — $40 gift card
Mt. Everest — 29, 035 feet — take the stairs 968 times — $50 gift card

–