Calculating the Force from Power Loss at 75.0 Km/hr

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter jacksondwrd
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Loss Power Power loss
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the force exerted by road and wind resistance on a car traveling at 75.0 Km/hr, given that 63.0% of the engine's output power is used to overcome this resistance. The engine output is specified as 69.00 HP, which converts to 51,474 Watts. The user initially calculated the power used for resistance as 32,428.62 Watts but failed to correctly apply the formula for power, which is power = force x speed, leading to confusion regarding the units and the final force calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of power calculations in physics
  • Familiarity with unit conversions (HP to Watts)
  • Knowledge of basic mechanics (force, speed, resistance)
  • Ability to manipulate equations involving power and force
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the formula for power: power = force x speed
  • Learn about unit consistency in physics calculations
  • Explore the concept of drag force and its calculation
  • Investigate the effects of wind resistance on vehicle performance
USEFUL FOR

Automotive engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of vehicle performance and resistance calculations.

jacksondwrd
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
You are testing a new car in a wind-tunnel for road and wind resistance. At a speed of 75.0 Km/hr you have found that 63.0 % of the total output power of an automobile engine is used in overcoming the resistance of the road and wind against the movement of the car. If the output power of a particular car engine is 69.00 HP, what is this resistance (ie. what is the force)? Give your answer in Newtons. (Take one HP as 746 Watts.


so i was like calcualting it like this

69HP=51474
and 60% of 51474 is 32428.62

then i did the formula of the power

power=forcexdistance/time

and got that answer but it is wrong

can anyone explain to me what i did wrong here
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, you stopped showing your calculations after figuring the power used to overcome wind resistance. I don't know what you did to calculate the force, but did you check the units of your calculations all the way thru?
 
As SteamKing mentione, you didn't mention what units you used for the terms in power = force x speed. It would help us to help you if you showed more of your work.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 95 ·
4
Replies
95
Views
7K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
9K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
32K
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
31K