Electrical Power - Cost of kW*hr

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the cost of electricity for an air conditioning unit based on its power consumption and usage duration. The subject area is electrical power and cost analysis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the power consumption and total cost based on given parameters but encounters discrepancies in their results. Some participants question the interpretation of the cost rate and suggest verifying arithmetic calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the cost rate unit and correct arithmetic errors. Participants provide feedback on the calculations, indicating that the last answer aligns with the expected format of the response.

Contextual Notes

There is a note regarding the significance of the cost rate being in cents per kilowatt-hour, which may have contributed to confusion in the calculations. The problem also specifies that significant figures do not matter.

calvert11
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Homework Statement


An electric air conditioning unit draws 15 amps of direct current from a 134 V direct voltage source, and is used 24 hours a day during 21.1 days in July. How much will the electricity cost for the month if the local electrical rate is
9.9 /kW· hr?

Answer in units of dollars.
(Note: sigfigs do not matter)

Homework Equations



P = I*[tex]\Delta[/tex]V

The Attempt at a Solution


This seems like a straight forward question:

P = 15*134 = 2010 W = 2.01 kW
t = 21.1 days * 24 hours = 506.4 hours

P*t = 1017.864 kW*hr

Since units aren't given for 9.9, I tried for both dollars and cents:
1017.864* 9.9 = $10076.85
1017.864*.099 = $100.785

Both answers are wrong. I don't know where I'm making the mistake.
 
Last edited:
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The 9.9 is c/kwh, other than that you are correct, except for the slight typo on the last answer
 
Looks like you might have made an arithmetic error when calculating in cents.

1017.864*0.099 = 100.768
 
Your last answer is correct. They want the answer of dolllars, with no cents. That's why they had such strange numbers (like 21.1 days).
 
berkeman said:
Your last answer is correct. They want the answer of dolllars, with no cents. That's why they had such strange numbers (like 21.1 days).
Thank you so much. Removing cents gives the right answer.
 

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