Conversion to fuel economy in equivalent MPG using kcal/h and mi/h

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around converting energy expenditure measured in kcal/h to fuel economy expressed in miles per gallon (MPG). The original poster attempts to calculate MPG for walking and bicycling based on energy consumption rates.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations for walking and question how to incorporate additional energy expenditure for bicycling. There is uncertainty about whether to consider food calories used by a cyclist in addition to gasoline energy for a car.

Discussion Status

Some participants express agreement with the calculations for walking, while others raise questions about the assumptions regarding energy use for bicycling and driving. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the relevance of food calories in the context of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the implications of significant figures and the assumptions about energy expenditure while cycling versus driving. The original poster's calculations are based on specific energy rates, but there is a lack of clarity on how to integrate all relevant factors.

Mustard
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Homework Statement
For saving energy, bicycling and walking are far more efficient means of transportation than is travel by automobile. For example, when riding at 10.0 mi/h, a cyclist uses food energy at a rate of about 400 kcal/h above what he would use if merely sitting still. (In exercise physiology, power is often measured in kcal/h rather than in watts. Here 1 kcal = 1 nutritionist’s Calorie = 4,186 J.) Walking at 3.00 mi/h requires about 220 kcal/h. It is interesting to compare these values with the energy consumption required for travel by car. Gasoline yields about 1.30 x 10^8 J/gal. Find the fuel economy in equivalent miles per gallon for a person (a) walking and (b) bicycling
Relevant Equations
3.00 mi/h = 220 kcal/h
10.0 mi/h = 400 kcal/h above the values of sitting still
1 kcal = 1 nutritionist’s Calorie = 4,186 J
Gasoline yield = 1.30 x 10^8 J/gal
So I'm guessing we need our end unit to be in MPG?
a) walking
( 220 kcal/ 1 hr )⋅ ( 1hr / 3 mile ) = 73 .3 kcal/mi⋅⋅
(73 .3 kcal/ 1 mile) ⋅ (4,186 J/1 kcal) = 3,06833.8 J/mi
(1.30 x 10^8 J/ 1 gal)(1 mile / 3,06833.8 J) = 423.68 MPG

b) bicycling

Not sure as it says,"...when riding at 10.0 mi/h, a cyclist uses food energy at a rate of about 400 kcal/h above what he would use if merely sitting still." So I am guessing I would need to get those values for sitting still and add them to get the cyclist values?
 
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Part (a) looks good to me. (Do you need to worry about significant figures in the answer?)

For part (b), does the driver of the car use food calories in addition to using gasoline energy?
 
TSny said:
Part (a) looks good to me. (Do you need to worry about significant figures in the answer?)

For part (b), does the driver of the car use food calories in addition to using gasoline energy?
I would assume the driver does?
 
Mustard said:
I would assume the driver does?
Yes.
 
TSny said:
Yes.
So I can ignore the above statement as the will basically cancel out ?
 
Yes.
 
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Likes   Reactions: Mustard
TSny said:
Yes.
Thank you, I got it! (:
 

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