How much power physics question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem related to power, specifically in the context of a machine's energy consumption and losses due to air resistance. Participants are exploring the relationship between power, energy, and time.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand how to calculate the effective power required by a machine considering energy losses. Questions are raised about the definitions of power and energy, and how time factors into these calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning the clarity of the original problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for time to calculate power accurately, and there is an exploration of how to rephrase the question for better understanding.

Contextual Notes

There is a specific mention of the time of flight being 30 minutes and the height reached being 2230 meters, which may influence the calculations discussed.

tennis38
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For example, if it takes 60 watts of Power for a machine to fly, yet loses (for instance) 2.5 * 10^3 Joules of its energy because of the air resistance, what's the amount of "Power" that was really given in the first place?
 
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I'm not sure I totally understand the problem but a watt is a joule/second, so if the plane needs 60 joules per second to maintain its velocity but loses 2500 joules per second because of air resistance, then the power required would be 2500 watts + 60 watts no?
 
Since the power is energy per second - and you have only given a total energy figure for the amount lost to air resistance, then it is not possible to calculate the "real" power without also knowing the time of flight.

But I suspect you just need to reword the question to make it clear.
 
The time of flight is 30 minutes to reach a height of 2230 meters
 
Simon Bridge said:
it is not possible to calculate the "real" power without also knowing the time of flight.
 
tennis38 said:
The time of flight is 30 minutes to reach a height of 2230 meters
So if you lost 2500J in 30mins... How many J in 1sec?
 

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