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Ch 09: Work and Kinetic Energy
Chapter 9, Problem 9

A Porsche 944 Turbo has a rated engine power of 217 hp. 30% of the power is lost in the engine and the drive train, and 70% reaches the wheels. The total mass of the car and driver is 1480 kg, and two-thirds of the weight is over the drive wheels. (a) What is the maximum acceleration of the Porsche on a concrete surface where μₛ = 1.00 ? Hint: What force pushes the car forward?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Power and Efficiency

Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. In this context, the Porsche's engine produces 217 horsepower, but only 70% of this power is effectively used for acceleration due to losses in the engine and drivetrain. Understanding how power is converted into usable force is crucial for calculating the car's performance.
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Friction and Traction

Friction is the force that opposes the relative motion of two surfaces in contact. The coefficient of static friction (μₛ) indicates the maximum frictional force before sliding occurs. For the Porsche on a concrete surface with μₛ = 1.00, this frictional force is essential for determining how much of the engine's power can be converted into forward acceleration.
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Newton's Second Law of Motion

Newton's Second Law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma). In this scenario, the net force is the frictional force that propels the car forward, and understanding this relationship is key to calculating the maximum acceleration of the Porsche.
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Textbook Question
A Porsche 944 Turbo has a rated engine power of 217 hp. 30% of the power is lost in the engine and the drive train, and 70% reaches the wheels. The total mass of the car and driver is 1480 kg, and two-thirds of the weight is over the drive wheels. (b) If the Porsche accelerates at aₘₐₓ, what is its speed when it reaches maximum power output?
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Textbook Question
A Porsche 944 Turbo has a rated engine power of 217 hp. 30% of the power is lost in the engine and the drive train, and 70% reaches the wheels. The total mass of the car and driver is 1480 kg, and two-thirds of the weight is over the drive wheels. (c) How long does it take the Porsche to reach the maximum power output?
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