Final answer:
To find the average power output in watts for a dragster, calculate the total work done, including both the kinetic energy and the work against friction, and divide by the time taken. The provided example describes a 500-kg dragster reaching 110 m/s, with 1200 N of friction over 400 m in 7.30 seconds.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average power output in watts for a dragster, we need to consider two forms of work being done on the dragster: the work required to accelerate the dragster to its final speed, and the work done against friction. The total work is then divided by the time taken to find the average power. The kinetic energy gained by the dragster as it accelerates is given by ½ * m * v2, where m is the mass and v is the final speed. The work done against friction is the force of friction multiplied by the distance over which it acts. The total work is the sum of these two quantities, and the average power is the total work divided by the time, t.
The example provided shows us a 500-kg dragster accelerating from rest to 110 m/s over a distance of 400 m and encountering a frictional force of 1200 N. Assuming it takes the dragster 7.30 seconds to cover this distance, we can first calculate the work done against friction: Wfriction = friction force × distance = 1200 N × 400 m. Then, we calculate the kinetic energy work: Wkinetic = ½ * m * v2 = ½ * 500 kg * (110 m/s)2. Adding these, we have the total work, and dividing by the time gives us the average power in watts. To convert to horsepower, use the conversion factor 1 hp = 746 W.