Distance, Acceleration, Time, and Power

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a car's acceleration, power, and kinetic energy. The original poster attempts to determine the time required for a car to accelerate from 55 km/h to 75 km/h, given its previous acceleration from 35 km/h to 55 km/h over a specified time. Participants explore concepts related to power, work, and energy in the context of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between power and kinetic energy, suggesting that the constant power implies a constant change in kinetic energy over time. Some question the use of average velocity and the need for integral calculus in the calculations. Others suggest alternative methods to approach the problem, including energy considerations.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to solve the problem, with some participants providing guidance on using energy equations and kinetic energy concepts. The original poster acknowledges confusion regarding their approach and expresses appreciation for the insights shared by others.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the potential need for integral calculus to accurately address the problem, while others emphasize the importance of understanding kinetic energy in the context of power and acceleration. There is also mention of assumptions regarding frictional losses being neglected.

Norngpinky
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Homework Statement


If a 1500kg car can accelerate from 35 km/h to 55 km/h in 4.0 s, how long will it take to accelerate from 55 km/h to 75 km/h? Assume the power stays the same, and neglect frictional losses.


Homework Equations


Converting the velocities to m/s, I got... V1=9.7m/s, V2=15m/s, V3=21m/s

Power = work/time = force*distance/time = mass*acceleration*distance/time

Acceleration1 = (V2-V1)/T1 (which is 4 sec) = 1.3 m/s^2

I'm using d = vt + (1/2)at^2 to find distance <----- This I am not totally sure off...


The Attempt at a Solution



So...I did... P=mad/t=ma*(V1t+.5at^2) = 23985

P1 = P2 as the problem stated...

So... a2 = (v3-v2)/t...After substitution I have

a = P / (m*(v3-v2)) = 1.13 m/s^2

Using a = (v3-v2)/t...I solved for t... I got 6.8s



It says I got the wrong answers, but can't figure out there I did it wrong... :eek:
 
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Hi Norngpinky

are you using integrals in this yet?

As noted P = mav is constant, (note v=d/t) so you could figure out how to include this in your differential equations & integrate

however you could also note that Power = Energy/time

do you know the equation for kinetic energy? If we assume all the power goes into creating kinetic energy & use the fact the power stays constant, this means the change in kinetic energy divided by time will be constant
 
lanedance said:
Hi Norngpinky

are you using integrals in this yet?

As noted P = mav is constant, (note v=d/t) so you could figure out how to include this in your differential equations & integrate

however you could also note that Power = Energy/time

do you know the equation for kinetic energy? If we assume all the power goes into creating kinetic energy & use the fact the power stays constant, this means the change in kinetic energy divided by time will be constant

Oh yes... I don't know why I didn't think of that. I know I messed up on the P=mav since P can be Fv (average) as well. . . and didn't know how to get average v...Did the addition of velocities divided by two, but still got the wrong answer.

Thank you ^^ Your explanation makes a lot of sense.
 
yeah you will have a problem with as the way you are trying to do it really requires integral calculus

try the energy way

P = (E1-E2)/dt - we know this is constant

andthe energy is all going into kinetic energy
E1 = (1/2)*m*(v1)^2

So use this for your first case to find what P is

then as you know the starting velocity and time of acceleration you should be able to solve for final velocity using the P calculated previously
 
An airplan moves on the runway of the airport at aconstant acceleration,then it takes off after it travels 1.5 km on the runway at avelocity of 210 km/h . what is the acceleration of airplane?
 
using v squared = u squared + 2as, a = (v squared - u squared)/2s where v= final velocity u= initial velocity s= displacement a = accel
 

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