Final answer:
The energy to accelerate a car from 0 to 60 mph D. depends on the time taken to reach that speed, among other factors. The calculation involves kinetic energy and work done, considering the car's mass and the acceleration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of energy required to accelerate a car from 0 to 60 mph depends on multiple factors, such as the car's weight, the engine type, and road conditions. However, the most directly relevant factor in this scenario is D) Depends on the time taken. To calculate the kinetic energy required, we use the formula KE = 1/2 mv^2, where m is the mass of the car and v is the velocity.
The change in kinetic energy gives us the energy required. However, for a given car (constant mass) accelerating to the same final speed, if we know the time taken to reach that speed, we can derive the acceleration and consequently calculate the work done on the car, which corresponds to the energy expended through the formula Work = Force × Distance or Work = mass × acceleration × distance. It's important to note that actual energy consumption will also depend on things like the car's efficiency and resistance forces such as friction and air resistance.