MEEN315-501 Homework Assignment #1

Due: 26 Jan 2016

Topic: Dimensions, Units, and Basic Energy Considerations
Problem #1: A typical car driving along a level highway at constant speed experiences a
drag force of approximately 80 lbf while expending approximately 10 horsepower (1 hp =
550 lbf-ft/s) in order to maintain speed due to the drag force on the vehicle. By examining
the dimensions of force (mass-length/time2) and power (energy/time), determine the
speed of the car in: a) ft/s, b) miles/hour c) hp/N
Problem #2: A typical compact car with a full tank of gasoline contains 600,000 Btu (1
Btu = 778.169 lbf-ft) of chemical energy. If the car has a weight of 2500 lbf, what is the
maximum speed in miles-per-hour the car could obtain by accelerating from rest
neglecting drag or friction, and assuming all the fuel energy is converted to kinetic
energy? Why cant the car attain this speed?
Problem #3: For each of the unit groups given, determine the dimension of the quantity
the unit group describes: a) kW-hour, b) gallon-psi, c) year-hp/N, d) kJ/yard.