Energy to a 40% efficient engine

  • Thread starter Thread starter laxmanic33
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Engine
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the energy transferred to a 40% efficient car engine that accelerates a 1200 kg car from rest to a speed of 18 m/s. The work done by the engine is determined using the kinetic energy formula, resulting in 19440 Joules. Given the engine's efficiency, the total energy required from burning gasoline is calculated to be 48600 Joules, accounting for the 60% energy loss due to inefficiency.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinetic energy calculations
  • Basic knowledge of engine efficiency concepts
  • Familiarity with the work-energy principle
  • Ability to perform unit conversions (Joules, kg, m/s)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of thermodynamics related to engine efficiency
  • Learn about the work-energy theorem in physics
  • Explore methods to improve engine efficiency in automotive engineering
  • Investigate alternative fuels and their energy outputs
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, automotive engineers, and anyone interested in understanding energy efficiency in car engines.

laxmanic33
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 40%-efficient car engine accelerates the 1200 kg car from rest to 18 m/s.
How much energy is transferred to the engine by burning gasoline?

any help is appreciated
 
Physics news on Phys.org
1. How much work is done by the engine?
2. Is all of the engine's energy being used to do that work? No, because the engine is not 100% efficient.
3. So how much energy must be released by burning in order for the engine to be able to do the amount of work calculated in (1) after 60% of said energy is thrown away?
 

Similar threads

Efficiency and Temperature in Heat Engine Cycles: Approaching Parts B, C, and D
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Calculating how a car consumes energy (gasoline)
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Solving a V-vs-s Problem: John's Quandry
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Calculating Gasoline Consumption for Car Acceleration
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Efficiency of a 10%-Efficient Car Engine: Energy Transfer and First Steps
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How to calculate the efficiency of a fuel engine
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Finding friction and tension for a train
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Please help - Efficiency of car engine question Unit test tomorrow
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
Turbo vs naturally aspirated engine power band width around peak power
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Thermodynamics problem involving engine efficiency
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K