Calculating Power Needed for a Machine's Flight: Tips & Tricks

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the effective power needed for a machine's flight, specifically addressing a scenario where a machine requires 60 watts of power to maintain flight while losing 2.5 * 10^3 Joules due to air resistance. Despite the energy loss, the machine's engine continues to output 60 watts. During a 30-minute flight to a height of 2230 meters, the machine gains potential energy, which is also supplied by the power source. The key takeaway is that the power output remains constant regardless of energy losses from air resistance.

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For example, if it takes 60 watts of Power for a machine to fly, yet loses (for instance) 2.5 * 10^3 Joules of its energy because of the air resistance, what's the amount of "Power" that was really given in the first place?

The time of flight for the machine is 30 minutes to get to the height of 2230 meters.

Any suggestions or tips? I've been stumped by this problem for a while now.

Thanks.
 
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It seems that the power is still going to be 60 watts -- even though energy is being lost to air resistance, the engine of the machine is still going to be putting out that much power. So when it flies to a height of 2230 meters, it loses 2.5 * 103 J to air resistance, while also gaining potential energy. Both of these energies will be supplied by the power source.
 

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