Chapter 9, Problem 14A

How does the amount of work done on an automobile by its engine relate to the energy content of the gasoline?

To determine

The way in which amount of work done on an automobile by its engine is related to the energy content of the gasoline.

Answer to Problem 14A

The amount of work done on an automobile by its engine is always less than the energy content of the gasoline.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

It is known that in any machine some of the input energy is transferred to the atomic or molecular kinetic energy making the machine warmer. This energy is termed as wasted energy.

Thus, some of the energy content of the gasoline in an automobile gets wasted. This results in the less amount of work done on an automobile as compared to the energy content of the gasoline used.

Conclusion:

Hence, not all the energy content of the gasoline gets transferred into the work done on the automobile.