Final answer:
A three horsepower motor consumes 2238 watts or approximately 2.24 kilowatts of power. This calculation is done using the conversion factor of 1 horsepower equaling 746 watts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking how much power a motor with a rating of three horsepower (hp) consumes. To find this, we can use the relationship where 1 hp is equivalent to 746 watts (W). Therefore, a three horsepower motor consumes power of 3 hp × 746 W/hp, which equals 2238 W, or approximately 2.24 kilowatts.
It's important to note that the actual power consumption can vary depending on the efficiency of the motor. Electric motors, like the mentioned 100-hp or 1-hp motors, can have high efficiency, meaning the actual consumption might be slightly less than the calculated consumption due to a percentage of the power being converted into mechanical energy rather than wasted as heat.