Activity 1.2.5 Mechanical System Efficiency (SIM)
Introduction
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but energy can be converted from one form to another. By design, an engineer creates an energy conversion system to change an input energy form into a desired output energy form. However, within a conversion system, input energy can be changed into less desirable forms of energy. Less desirable forms of energy conversion can occur due to resistance and friction, resulting in thermo energy conversion. Engineers strive to decrease undesirable energy conversions within a system, or energy losses, by planning with system efficiency in mind. Efficiency is the ratio of desired output energy compared to input energy.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but energy can be converted from one form to another. By design, an engineer creates an energy conversion system to change an input energy form into a desired output energy form. However, within a conversion system, input energy can be changed into less desirable forms of energy. Less desirable forms of energy conversion can occur due to resistance and friction, resulting in thermo energy conversion. Engineers strive to decrease undesirable energy conversions within a system, or energy losses, by planning with system efficiency in mind. Efficiency is the ratio of desired output energy compared to input energy.
Conclusion Questions
1. Which scenario is most efficient? What factors make one scenario more efficient than another?
Scenario 2 is most efficient; Efficiency is dependent on the power input and the output which depend on Joules, time, current, voltage, and work.
2. List and describe three factors that reduce the efficiency of this winch system.
Three factors which reduce the efficiency of this winch system include the time of the system's use, the current of the system, and the distance of the winch.
3. Describe at least one strategy for making this system more efficient.
One strategy to make this system more efficient is decreasing the time it is active. By doing this, more work power can be exerted and make up for the input work effort, increasing the efficiency.
4. Explain at least two reasons why automotive engineers are concerned with improving vehicle efficiency
Automotive engineers are concerned with improving vehicle efficiency in order to decrease the amount of carbon emissions and give a better gas mileage to your car, leaving more resources available for fuel (in terms of time).
1. Which scenario is most efficient? What factors make one scenario more efficient than another?
Scenario 2 is most efficient; Efficiency is dependent on the power input and the output which depend on Joules, time, current, voltage, and work.
2. List and describe three factors that reduce the efficiency of this winch system.
Three factors which reduce the efficiency of this winch system include the time of the system's use, the current of the system, and the distance of the winch.
3. Describe at least one strategy for making this system more efficient.
One strategy to make this system more efficient is decreasing the time it is active. By doing this, more work power can be exerted and make up for the input work effort, increasing the efficiency.
4. Explain at least two reasons why automotive engineers are concerned with improving vehicle efficiency
Automotive engineers are concerned with improving vehicle efficiency in order to decrease the amount of carbon emissions and give a better gas mileage to your car, leaving more resources available for fuel (in terms of time).