How many slices of pizza must you eat to walk for 1.5 hr at a speed of 5.0 km/hr

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the number of slices of pizza needed to sustain energy for walking 1.5 hours at a speed of 5.0 km/hr, given a mass of 68 kg, the energy content of pizza, and the metabolic power required for the activity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial calculations regarding distance and energy requirements. Some question the relevance of the distance calculated, while others suggest considering the efficiency of the human body in energy use.

Discussion Status

There are varying interpretations of how to factor in the body's efficiency and the energy content of the pizza. Some participants provide guidance on adjusting calculations based on efficiency, while others express uncertainty about the initial approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is for extra credit, indicating that it may not be essential to resolve fully. There is also mention of the efficiency of the human body, which is a critical factor in the calculations being discussed.

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Homework Statement



Assuming a typical efficiency for energy use by the body, how many slices of pizza must you eat to walk for 1.5 hr at a speed of 5.0 km/hr? (Assume your mass is 68kg.) We know that
the energy content in ONE slice of pizza is 1260 kJ and the metabolic power of this activity is 380 W.

Homework Equations



Delta t (change in time) = Delta E (energy)/P(power)
Delta x = v(speed)*delta t (time)

The Attempt at a Solution


I started by calculating delta x, which is 7.5 km total.
I then tried to solve for the change in Energy by taking the power 380 and multiplying it by the time 5400 s (1.5 hr). Since ONE slice is 1260 kJ I thought that I would only need 2 slices but this answer is incorrect. I suppose I would need to first find how much energy it takes to walk at this pace for that amount of time and then compare it to the amount of energy in once slice of pizza. This question is for an extra point so it is not necessary that I do it, but I would like help so that I may figure it out for myself. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Your initial approach seems to be correct (that is ignoring delta x, no idea what you mean by that). Perhaps they want you to give more precise answer (ie not whole slices).

And you know, this is hardly advanced physics...
 
You have to remember that the human body has 25% efficiency. Therefore divide 1260 by 25% which will give you the amount of energy your body will use from a slice of pizza. Then take whatever answer you get for amount of needed energy (W x T in sec.) and divide that by the amount of energy your body actually uses from a slice of pizza.
 
Mitchellsone said:
You have to remember that the human body has 25% efficiency. Therefore divide 1260 by 25% which will give you the amount of energy your body will use from a slice of pizza. Then take whatever answer you get for amount of needed energy (W x T in sec.) and divide that by the amount of energy your body actually uses from a slice of pizza.

I think the efficiency is already factored in the 380W needed for a 68kg person to move at 5 km/hr. That amount of net power/weight will get you close to world record marathon speed.
 

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