The peak of the extinct volcano Volcán Chimborazo in Ecuador is the farthest point on
Earth from Earth’s center. This is because Earth bulges outward due to its rotation, and
this bulge is greatest at the Equator, which is only about 100 km north of Chimborazo.
Volcán Chimborazo’s summit is 6267 m above sea level. If a mountain climber with a
mass of 85 kg (climbing equipment included) reaches the mountain’s peak, what is the
gravitational potential energy associated with the climber with respect to sea level?
