What would affect horsepower more: speed or mass?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between horsepower, speed, and mass, exploring which factor has a greater impact on horsepower. Participants are examining the definitions and implications of horsepower in the context of mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the fundamental definitions of horsepower and its dependence on speed and mass. There is a discussion about the formula for power and how it relates to force and velocity, with some participants suggesting that mass plays a role in overcoming forces like gravity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the calculations of horsepower and raising questions about the assumptions made regarding speed and mass. There is no explicit consensus, but various interpretations and clarifications are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note discrepancies in the conversion of horsepower to watts and the implications of different forces acting on a system, indicating a need for further clarification on these points.

Min
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I was wondering which would cause the horsepower to increase and why would it be that one.
 
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Min said:
I was wondering which would cause the horsepower to increase and why would it be that one.
Huh? Speed is something you GET from horsepower. Mass is something that horsepower has to overcome to get speed.

What are you asking?
 
Hello min,
Horsepower is just another way of saying much power
1 Horsepower = 756 Watt
And in mechanics P = F.v so independent from mass
 
Noctisdark said:
Hello min,
Horsepower is just another way of saying much power
1 Horsepower = 756 Watt
And in mechanics P = F.v so independent from mass

Actually, 1 HP = 746 watts

And there are several different ways to calculate horsepower requirements. P = F × v is one of those ways, but what if F is itself a function of v ?

For example, in fluid drag, F is proportional to v2.
 
Oops sorry ididn't notice that careless mistake,
@SteamKing, P = F.v regarless of whatever F is, (ie function of anything) but that a great thing to point at
Is meant to write it that way to show that it is prop to the velocity, however in cases of gravity F depends on mass and in most other cases don't but it will always depends on the velocity.
 

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