Final answer:
To find out how long it takes a 50.0 hp engine to do 6.40 x 10⁵ J of work, we first convert horsepower to watts, and then divide the work by the power. This will give us the time in seconds necessary for the engine to perform the work.
Step-by-step explanation:
Calculating Time to Perform Work with a Given Power Output
The question asks us to determine the time required for an automobile engine, with a power output of 50 hp, to perform 6.40 x 10⁵ J of work. Using the conversion factor that 1 hp equals 746 W, we can convert horsepower to watts. Since power is the rate at which work is done or energy is converted, the equation power (P) = work (W) / time (t) can be rearranged to solve for time, t = W / P.
Step-by-step calculation:
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- Convert horsepower to watts: 50.0 hp * 746 W/hp = 37300 W.
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- Calculate time: time = work / power = 6.40 x 10⁵ J / 37300 W.
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- Perform division to find time in seconds.
The result will give us the time in seconds that the engine will take to perform 6.40 x 10⁵ J of work with a power output of 50 hp.