A miracle car with a 100% efficient engine burns fuel having a 40-megajoules-per-liter energy content. If air drag and overall frictional forces at highway speeds totals 1000 N, what distance per liter can be achieved on the highway?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The work done by the car against the frictional forces is the product of the force and the distance traveled, $W = F \cdot d$. Given that the energy content of the fuel is 40 megajoules per liter and the engine is 100% efficient, all 40 megajoules (or 40,000,000 joules) are converted into work. With a frictional force of 1000 N opposing the motion, the distance $d$ can be found using the formula $W = F \cdot d$, leading to $d = \frac{W}{F} = \frac{40,000,000 \, \text{J}}{1000 \, \text{N}} = 40,000 \, \text{m}$ or 40 km.

A Miracle Car with a 100% Efficient Engine Burns Fuel