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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. (b) If the Porsche accelerates at aₘₐₓ, what is its speed when it reaches maximum power output?

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1
Calculate the effective power reaching the wheels by taking 70% of the total engine power. Use the conversion factor that 1 horsepower (hp) equals 746 watts (W) to convert the power from horsepower to watts.
Determine the force exerted by the drive wheels using the formula: Power = Force × Velocity. Rearrange this formula to solve for Force as Force = Power / Velocity.
Calculate the total weight of the car using the mass and acceleration due to gravity (g = 9.8 m/s²). Then, find the weight over the drive wheels by taking two-thirds of the total weight.
Use the maximum static friction force that can be exerted by the drive wheels, which is the product of the normal force (weight over the drive wheels) and the coefficient of static friction (μ). Assume a typical value for μ if not provided.
Set the force exerted by the drive wheels (from step 2) equal to the maximum static friction force (from step 4) and solve for the velocity. This velocity is the speed of the car when it reaches maximum power output.

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Key Concepts

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

Power and Work

Power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. In the context of vehicles, engine power is crucial for understanding how quickly a car can accelerate. The relationship between power, force, and velocity is given by the equation P = F * v, where P is power, F is force, and v is velocity. This concept helps in determining how much of the engine's power contributes to the car's acceleration.
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Acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object. In this scenario, the maximum acceleration (aₘₐₓ) can be calculated using Newton's second law, F = m * a, where F is the net force acting on the car, m is its mass, and a is acceleration. Understanding how acceleration relates to the forces acting on the car, including friction and engine power, is essential for determining the car's speed at maximum power output.
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Weight Distribution

Weight distribution refers to how the weight of a vehicle is spread across its wheels. In this case, two-thirds of the car's weight is over the drive wheels, which affects traction and the ability to accelerate. The normal force on the drive wheels influences the frictional force available for acceleration, making it a critical factor in calculating the maximum speed the car can achieve when reaching maximum power output.
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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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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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