Which uses more energy, going up a flight of stairs one at a time or two at a time?

Question

In order to climb a 20 step flight of stairs quickly and efficiently is it better to do it one step at a time which means legs climbing 20 times quite fast
or
Climbing the stairs 2 at a time which means its harder work on the legs as you have a higher ascent but you only do this 10 times?

Answer 1

It requires exactly the same amount of energy. The change in potential energy imparted to a mass of m kilograms being moved a distance of h meters verically against gravity (g = 9.8m/s²) is
E = mgh
No matter how fast or slow you do it.

Doug

Answer 2

The energy expended in moving yourself from the bottom of the stairs to the top of the stairs is the same no matter how many steps you take at a time.

The difference in energy expended within your body by pumping your legs twice as often over a smaller range is measurable but relatively insignificant.

The first measures general motion.
The second measures the components of locomotion.
.

Answer 3

It should take the same amount of energy to climb the stairs both ways.

Answer 4

The energy required is the same - mass x accn due to gravity x ht climbed.

However, the power required will be more in the second case as the time required will be smaller.

Answer 5

getting from bottom to top no matter how you get there is going to take same overall amount of energy or work. If you exert lots of smaller bits or a smaller amount of big bits is up to you.

Answer 6

Technically, you use the same amount of energy and do the same amount of work because work=mgh (mass*Gravity*height)

Answer 7

No difference. The same mass is elevated by the same ammount