Minimum power to counter gravitational potential energy gain Steps:

• Total mass M = 25 × 78 = 1950 kg.
• Vertical velocity component v_y = 0.43 × sin(40°) ≈ 0.276 m/s.
• Minimum power P = M × g × v_y, where g = 9.8 m/s² (power equals rate of work against gravity).
• P = 1950 × 9.8 × 0.276 = 53,000 W = 53 kW.

Why C is correct:

• It matches P = (total mass × g × vertical velocity) from work-energy principle for constant-speed lift.

Why the others are wrong:

• A uses incorrect vertical velocity approximation, underestimating by factor of 10.
• B applies cos(40°) instead of sin(40°) for incline component.
• D overestimates using g ≈ 12 m/s² or similar approximation error.

Final answer: C