Calculating Water Output of a 2.0 hp Electric Motor

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the water output of a 2.0 hp electric motor pumping water from a depth of 10 meters. The motor operates at 1491.6 Watts (2 hp x 745.8 Watts) and utilizes the potential energy formula PE = mgh to determine the mass of water pumped in one hour. The gravitational acceleration is clarified as 9.79 m/s², leading to the conclusion that the volume of water pumped can be directly related to its mass, with 1000 liters equating to 1000 kg. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding energy calculations in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, specifically potential energy (PE = mgh)
  • Familiarity with power conversion (1 hp = 745.8 Watts)
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration values (g = 9.79 m/s²)
  • Basic understanding of volume and mass relationships in water (1 liter = 1 kg)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of power output on pump efficiency
  • Learn about the relationship between horsepower and water flow rates
  • Explore the effects of varying depths on pump performance
  • Investigate the calculations for energy consumption in electric motors
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for mechanical engineers, physics students, and anyone involved in designing or analyzing water pumping systems using electric motors.

psingh
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A 2.0 hp electric motor on a water well pumps water from 10 m below the surface. The density of water is 1.0 kg per liter. How many liters of water does the motor pump in 1 hr?

im not sure what equation to use on this problem, so if anyone could let me know that would be good thanks!
 
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Power = Energy/Time

Energy = mgh in this case

1 hp = 745.8 Watts
 
A motor is working on increasing the potential energy of water (calculated by PE = mgh) by bringing it up the well 10 meters below. The motor is using 745.8 Joules per second (745.8 Watts). In one hour or 3600 seconds, how many kilograms of water will it be pumping up?

Does that make the question easier?
 
yea i understand the question a tiny bit more, but don't you have to find the volume of water being pumped up?

this is what i got so far but I am completely not sure since its 2 hp..

745.8w*2*3600s= is the energy of the motor in 1 hour.
h= -10 or 10 depending on where u place your axis
g= 9381

745.8w*2*3600=mgh? is that right?
 
g = 9.79 meters per second per second

And hint about volume. The volume doesn't matter in this energy problem. Just know for later reference that 1000 liters of water = 1000 kg = 1 cubic meter.
 
oo thanks a lot i got it now =]
 
mezarashi said:
g = 9.79 meters per second per second

Not 9.81? Where do you live?

And hint about volume. The volume doesn't matter in this energy problem. Just know for later reference that 1000 liters of water = 1000 kg = 1 cubic meter.

Well, volume does matter because the problem asked for volume!
I presume you meant that since, for water, 1 litre is 1 kg, it's easy to convert.
 

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