Why Does My Power Calculation Yield Half the Expected Result?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a power calculation for a car accelerating from rest over a distance of 110 m in 8.7 seconds. The calculated average power was 20.21 kW, while the expected result was 40.43 kW. The error stemmed from using the wrong formula for acceleration, as the velocity is not constant. Participants clarified that the correct approach involves using the formula for uniformly accelerated motion. Ultimately, the user was guided to find acceleration first and then apply the correct calculations for force and power.
MMCS
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Can anyone see where i have went wrong? I keep getting the same wrong answer.

A 1100 kg car accelerates from rest reaching a distance of 110 m in 8.7 seconds, determine the average power in KW required to achieve this acceleration (your answer should be to 2 decimal places).

ANS = 40.43
MY ANS = 20.21

Working out

V = d/t
V= 110/8.7 = 12.64

Acc = (12.64 - 0) / 8.7 = 1.45

Force = ma
Force = 1100 x 1.45 = 1598.63

Work done = force x distance
Work done = 1598.63 x 110 = 175848

Power = WD/T
Power = 175848/8.7 = 20.21KW

Thanks
 
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MMCS said:
V = d/t
V= 110/8.7 = 12.64

The velocity is not constant here,
you should use s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at2 instead
 
Thanks for your reply.
How do i use this formula if i have two unknowns for V and a
 
MMCS said:
Thanks for your reply.
How do i use this formula if i have two unknowns for V and a

You just have to find a and carry on with F=ma

P.S. I gave you the wrong formula just now :P
 
Got it, thanks mate
 
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