What is Horsepower: Definition and 90 Discussions

Horsepower (hp) is a unit of measurement of power, or the rate at which work is done, usually in reference to the output of engines or motors. There are many different standards and types of horsepower. Two common definitions used today are the mechanical horsepower (or imperial horsepower), which is about 745.7 watts and the metric horsepower, which is approximately 735.5 watts.
The term was adopted in the late 18th century by Scottish engineer James Watt to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses. It was later expanded to include the output power of other types of piston engines, as well as turbines, electric motors and other machinery. The definition of the unit varied among geographical regions. Most countries now use the SI unit watt for measurement of power. With the implementation of the EU Directive 80/181/EEC on 1 January 2010, the use of horsepower in the EU is permitted only as a supplementary unit.

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  1. C

    Torque or horsepower needed for 3 phase gearmotor, brake, VFD

    I’ve built a light weight frame for a hoist which only needs to lift around 500 lbs. The cable spool needs to hold 250’ of 3/16 cable that can lift a submersible pump from that depth. The hoist will also be used to develop the well and without going into great detail about this, I’ll just say...
  2. R

    Calculating average horsepower of an elevator help

    Hello. I hope someone here can give me some advice for solving this problem for an introductory mechanical engineering course. Below is the problem statement verbatim, and them my attempt at solving it. Advice and guidance is greatly appreciated! Homework Statement Here is the problem...
  3. S

    Understanding Horsepower in Big Trucks

    Probably a stupid question, but here goes: Horsepower always measures the amount of work an engine can perform in one minute and can be converted into watts by horsepower X 746 = engine power in watts, right? I ask this because I was wondering about something. According to...
  4. R

    Understanding the Discrepancy in Horsepower Ratings for Air Conditioning Units

    A manufacturer like Carrier or Panasonic listed their 1 Horsepower Aircon as having 9,500 KJ/h and 1.5 Horsepower Aircon as 13,000 KJ/h. But it doesn't tally with the BTU conversion. 1 ton refrigeration = 12000 Btu/Hour = 12,661 kJ/Hour = 3.517 kW now 1 watt = 0.00134102209 horsepower...
  5. N

    How much horsepower required for motor to rotate cylinder?

    I done this calculation But something wrong. cylinder weight: 17000 lb weight , Diameter = 36"= 3 ft, length = 5 ft. , 3000 rpm , time=90 sec. Aceee = Change in angular velocity / time Angular velocity = 2xPi (3.14) 3000/60 = 314rad / sec acee = ( 314-0) / 90...
  6. P

    Correlation between a car's horsepower and maximum strength of Cable

    Science quiz question: How to determine the correlation between a car’s horsepower / torque and the maximum break strength of a cable that will hold the motor stationery. Assuming that the wheels of a car do not spin, how can I determine what the required cable’s break strength needs to be...
  7. 3

    Horsepower, Pounds and G-force

    If I know the vehicle weight in pounds and I know peak G-force. Can I find peak net horsepower? If yes, how would I do it? I have an accelerometer on my “Motor Driven Cycle” and I have weighed myself and the cycle. To keep the cycle legally a Motor Driven Cycle it must be under 5 bhp. If I...
  8. R

    Electric Motor and Gas Engine Horsepower Equivalency

    Is there a way to figure out the horsepower of an electric motor if you know the horsepower of a gas engine. For example: If the torque-to-horsepower equation goes as follows: [(Torque x Engine speed) / 5,252 = Horsepower] and I know that a 161cc gas engine has a Gross Torque of 7.00 ft-lbs...
  9. J

    Calculate Horsepower for Pumping Water from 50m Depth at 10m/s Flow Rate

    Homework Statement A pump has to raise water from a depth of 50m and eject it at 10m/s. If the flow rate is 2 kg/s, what horsepower is needed. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution t = s/v = 5 seconds m = t/flow rate = 2.5kg E = mgh = 1250J P = E/t = 250W...
  10. K

    Is there an equation for horsepower?

    Homework Statement One of the Niagara turbines uses 172,000 cubic feet of water per minute under a head of 215 ft. What is the horsepower developed? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Below is "research findings" and attempt at a solution but I'm a little leary of the...
  11. K

    Solving for Horsepower w/ Unfamiliar Equation

    Homework Statement My teacher assigned a horsepower problem except that we never covered horsepower. Here's my attempt: One of the Niagara turbines uses 172,000 cubic feet of water per minute under a head of 215 ft. What is the horsepower developed? Homework Equations The...
  12. F

    Calculating Cat Power: How to Find Horsepower Output

    Homework Statement A 4.50 cat leaps from the floor to the top of a 97.0-cm-high table. If the cat pushes against the floor for 0.230 to accomplish this feat, what was her average power output during the pushoff period? Answer in terms of horsepower. Homework Equations W = Fdx F = ma...
  13. P

    What Is the Minimum Horsepower Required to Prevent a Ship from Sinking?

    Homework Statement In order to keep a leaking ship from sinking, it is necessary to pump 12.0 of water each second from below deck up a height of 1.50 and over the side. What is the minimum horsepower motor that can be used to save the ship? Homework Equations W=F*d 1 horse...
  14. C

    Horsepower based on distance and speed

    Hi, I was wondering if you can calculate horsepower given this information: Distance traveled: 180 Meters Weight of object: 1582 KG Speed at the 180 meters: 93 KPH Thanks, Steven
  15. D

    Definition of what 1 horsepower is

    I have an equation in my study guide that looks like this: a = F/m = P/v/m = (47 horsepower * 746 W/hp) / (1400kg) (14m/s) = 1.82 m/s^2 My question is, how does my book come up with 746 W/hp? I know why all of the other factors...
  16. J

    Gear design project and have chosen 25 Horsepower

    Im working on a gear design project and have chosen 25 Horsepower, 1750 RPM;s for the pinion, and a gear ration of 3. My question is how do I find out the number of teeth for each gear? I know the formula M_g = Ng/Np = ng/np which allowed me to calculate the output RPM;s of the gear...
  17. R

    Calculating Minimum Horsepower for Moving a Mass at a Given Speed

    Homework Statement What minimum horsepower must a motor have to be able to drag a 270 kg box along a level floor at a speed of 1.20 m/s if the coefficient of friction is 0.50? Homework Equations Ffr=mu*mg W=Ffr*d The Attempt at a Solution I ended up having W=Fr*d=mu*m*g*d...
  18. M

    How Do Engine Components Like Airflow and Cams Determine Horsepower?

    Let me preface this by saying I understand the basics of work, power, and energy. I know how horsepower is calculated from torque. I'm confused over how engines are designed for horsepower. I've read many mechanic books, many car magazines, etc. but never come across how to specifically design...
  19. O

    Which better predicts Horsepower- weight or speed

    Which better "predicts" Horsepower- weight or speed 1. This problem involves vertical motion on a flight of stairs, the force of friction is to be ignored. I just can quite put my thumb on whether speed or weight will better predict the resulting horsepower, given that weight (mass times...
  20. S

    Whats my best formula to use to calculate Horsepower or Torque from acceleration data

    I need to know what the "BEST" formula for me to use is... and I actually have 5 decimal places on all this data listed below.. the data I have is in samples taken in real time.. I need to come up with a way to calculate either the Torque or the Horsepower at the wheels...I can derive one from...
  21. P

    What Is the Realistic Horsepower of a Truck Climbing Rabbit Ears Pass?

    A 40,000 kg truck traveling on I-70 leaves Denver (elevation 5280', mile marker 244) and goes over Rabbit Ears pass (elevation 11,840', mile marker 238) while maintaining 50 mph. What is the horse power rating on his engine? The formulas I used are as follows: power = work/time work =...
  22. X

    Horsepower in relation to cfm, engine displacement, and a few others

    Hey everyone, this is my first post. A short while ago I came across web-calculator that calculated some theoretical horsepower based on values you entered. The values were CFM (amount of air flow) atmospheric pressure based on a barometer reading (you could choose either inches mercury or...
  23. W

    Express your answer in Watts and horsepower

    Homework Statement What is the power output of a bodybuilder who raises 150kg from the ground to a height of 2.2m in 1.3 seconds? Express your answer in Watts and Horsepower (1hp=746w) Homework Equations show me how to do this problem The Attempt at a Solution show me how to do...
  24. M

    How much horsepower are you applying?

    Homework Statement You are towing a car on a level road at a constant speed of 20 m/sec. A scale attatched to the rope measures a force of 200 N. How much horsepower are you applying to the towed car to keep it moving? (Note 1 HP = 746 W). Please help I have a physics test tomorrow...
  25. M

    So how many horsepower do you need

    In a long drive home through the moutains I noticed that my car will do a constant 100km/h in gear with the engine running but no gas pedal down a 6% slope. 100Km/h = 27.8 m/s, in a 6% downgrade that's 1.7 m/s vertically. kerb weight=1420Kg , so with 2 people and some fuel = 1600kg mgh =...
  26. P

    Horsepower engine is required?

    Homework Statement A 80kg skier grips a moving rope that is powered by an engine and is pulled at constant speed to the top of a 23*degrees hill. The skier is pulled a distance x = 250m along the incline and it takes 2.1 minutes to reach the top of the hill. If the coefficient of kinetic...
  27. M

    Building a Flying Ship: Calculating Necessary Horsepower

    im working on a ship that can fly; simple yes . well having a little trubble tring to found out how mutch HP is needed to lift one pound in the air. I am making the engine my self i can't really give to mutch information at this point in time becouse I am still working on the frame work for...
  28. R

    Horsepower to kilowatt-hours?

    SOLVED - Horsepower to kilowatt-hours? Homework Statement In the English system of units, power is expressed as horsepower (hp) instead of watts, where 1 hp=746 W. Horsepower is often used for motors and automobiles. How many kilowatt-hours of energy is produced when you run a 23.0 hp motor...
  29. R

    Can a 5HP Electric Motor Replace a 10HP Compressor?

    I have a 10 HP electric motor on a compressor. The motor goes south but I have a good 5 HP electric motor. Will it work? I am sure I could not get the PSI that the 10 horse produced, probably have to reduced the hi shutoff. tks
  30. F

    Automotive Torque vs Horsepower: Auto Racing Power Showdown

    Ive got a question, which is more powerful and better to have in auto racing, torque or horsepower? I've gotten mixed answers and wanted to ask some people who know their stuff.
  31. G

    Horsepower from acceleration

    I'm trying to calculate a vehicles bhp based on acceleration. I'm using RPM time stamped in milliseconds. Tire Dia= 0.62738 meters R&P= 3.23 3rd Gear= 1.66 Mass= 1500 Kg Wheel speed= Engine RPM/(R&P*Gear) Velocity= WS*Tire Dia*0.0523598 M*(Dia/2)*1000*((v2-v1)/(t2-t1))=Nm...
  32. B

    Calculating necessary Horsepower

    Calculating necessary Power to generate required Thrust Hello, This is my first post on this site and I hope someone can help. I am building an experimental air vehicle for my final dissertation in my Transport Engineering degree course. I am trying to track down a formula I need but can't...
  33. N

    Work & Horsepower: Pulling a 65 kg Skier Up a 30° Slope

    A skier of mass 65 kg is pulled up a slope by a motor-driven cable, a)How much work is required to pull him 50 m up a 30° slope (assumed frictionless) at a constant speed of 2.9 m/s? b)how much horsepower must the motor have to preform this task? Please help! I don't know what to do with...
  34. S

    Linear RPM vs Time = ? Horsepower

    Linear RPM vs Time = ?? Horsepower I have graphed some sampled data taken from a car on a level road, traveling its rpm range (from 2000rpm -> 8000rpm) under full acceleration, and the graph shows an almost linear change in rpm over time. For the sake of example, let us assume RPM = time...
  35. D

    How Do I Calculate Horsepower?

    Hello! I'm working on some physics homework (obviously :smile: ) and I'm stuck on a certain problem. I need to calculate horsepower, but I'm not sure how I do that. I know the weight of the moving object, how far it moved, and how long that took. I'm not asking anyone to do the problem for...
  36. hitssquad

    Why did the Carrera GT fail to be a hit?

    http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=2601&page_number=3
  37. W

    Gaining Horsepower: Calculating Acceleration & Work at the Tracks

    Went to the tracks today: Car weighs 3560 pounds, which is 1615kg. I ran a quarter mile (402m) in 17.8s. So naturally being the physics student I found the average acceleration to be a = \frac{2d}{t^2} = \frac{804}{316.84} = 2.54m/s^2 Average force applied would then be F = m a =...
  38. M

    Calculating Horsepower for Electric Motor Pressurization

    Please forgive what I'm sure is a dumb question, but I'm stumped. Is there a way to determine the amount of horsepower (from an electric motor for instance) that is req'd to pressurize a tank of a known volume to a specific pressure? In other words if an electric motor is used to compress...
  39. K

    Calculating Horsepower from 100 kgs Load on 10cm Axle with 3 Arms

    Please let me know the equation to calculate the following i have a mass of 100 kgs i have an axel of 10cms diameter connected by 3 arms 120 degrees apart. the length of the arm is 100cms i want to know that if the load is dropped from above, that is when the arm reaches on the top...
  40. Gara

    Toque vs Horsepower: Bigger Bore & Stroke Lenths

    The bigger the bore and stroke lenth means more toque, but the engine will rev less due to the bigger bore and stroke lenth, partly because it takes energy to change a pistons direction. the bigger the piston, the heavyer it is, the more energy is used making it go back up. but what about...
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