Have you ever wondered how do people compare the performance of different vehicles at a sports event? Or how does one model of the car become more likely buyable than the others? What physics goes behind this? If yes, then our built-in power-to-weight ratio calculator is just what you need to solve all your queries. In the following article, you will learn the method to calculate the power-to-weight ratio, and why it is a very important measure of the performances of all moving vehicles or why is this a crucial criterion for judging vehicles or objects that are under influence of external force?
Power: In physics, power is defined as the amount of energy that is transferred or converted per unit of time when an external force acts on the object. Meanwhile, in the International System of Units, the unit of power is the watt, and one watt is equal to one joule per second of energy liberated.
Weight is defined as a vector quantity which means it has a direction to it due to the gravitational force acting on the object.
Now in this section, it will be explained step by step how to calculate the power-to-weight ratio of a vehicle or any object moving under the influence of an external force.
Learn how to calculate power to weight ratio by using the power to weight ratio calculator as such. They are along the lines
For more concepts check out physicscalculatorpro.com to get quick answers by using this free tool.
Let us take different examples and calculate their power-to-weight ratios (PWRs).
Question 1: Calculate the power to weight ratio of a truck on an inclined plane with the weight of the truck as 250 lb and power of the truck as 200 hp? Also, give the answer in the standard units.
Solution:
Given Weight of the Truck = 250lbs
Power of Truck = 200hp
We know the formula to calculate The power to weight ratio of truck = power of truck/weight of the truck
Substituting the given data in the above formula we have
= 200/250
=0.8 hp/lb
Therefore, the power to weight ratio of the truck is 0.8hp/lb
Question 2: Calculate the power to weight ratio of a car whose weight is 300 lb and the external force applied on the car is 50 hp. Also, give the answer in the standard units.
Solution:
Given Weight of the Truck = 300lbs
Power of Truck = 50hp
We know the formula to calculate The power to weight ratio of truck = power of truck/weight of the truck
Substituting the given data in the above formula we have
= 50/300
=0.166 hp/lb
1. What is the standard unit of power?
Watt is the standard unit of power.
2. What is the standard unit of weight?
Kg is the standard unit of weight
3. What is the formula of power to weight ratio?
The formula of power to weight ratio is: the power of the object/ weight of the object
4. Is higher power to weight ratio good?
The higher the power to weight ratio, the higher is the acceleration of the object under external force hence it shows that the object moves with a higher velocity.
5. What is the significance of the power to weight ratio?
The power-to-weight ratio is a measurement of the actual performance or the efficiency of any engine or power source.