A Car Engine Supplies 2.0 x 10 3 J of Work per Cycle
Introduction
A car engine is a complex piece of machinery that converts the chemical energy stored in gasoline into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is used to turn the wheels of the car and propel it forward. The amount of work that an engine supplies per cycle is a measure of its power.
The Work Done by an Engine
The work done by an engine is calculated by multiplying the force applied to the piston by the displacement of the piston. In a car engine, the force applied to the piston is the force exerted by the expanding gases in the cylinder. The displacement of the piston is the distance that the piston moves from top dead center to bottom dead center.
The work done by an engine can be expressed in joules (J). One joule is equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter.
The Power of an Engine
The power of an engine is a measure of the rate at which it does work. Power is calculated by dividing the work done by the time it takes to do the work. In a car engine, the power is typically expressed in kilowatts (kW). One kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts.
The power of an engine can be calculated using the following formula:
Power = Work / Time
The Efficiency of an Engine
The efficiency of an engine is a measure of how well it converts the chemical energy stored in gasoline into mechanical energy. Efficiency is calculated by dividing the work done by the heat input. In a car engine, the heat input is the energy content of the gasoline that is burned.
The efficiency of an engine is typically expressed in percent. A higher efficiency means that the engine is converting more of the chemical energy in the gasoline into mechanical energy.
Conclusion
The work done by a car engine is a measure of its power. The power of an engine is a measure of the rate at which it does work. The efficiency of an engine is a measure of how well it converts the chemical energy stored in gasoline into mechanical energy.
