In order to meet its objectives for the
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions the Federal government has made
funds available for the research of new and more efficient means of
vehicle propulsion. Current efforts toward making the conventional car
engines more efficiently are not creating the gains required by the
Federal government in order to meet its emission reduction targets.
In order to gain access to the government
funding you will need to first examine the issues surrounding engine
efficiency and our continuing quest to use energy sources more
efficiently. Your studies should focus on the input and output of
different types of vehicles. You will be required to provide an analysis
in quantitative terms of the relationships among percent efficiency, input
energy, and useful output energy.
Your investigations should analyse, using
your own criteria, the economic, social, and environmental impact of
various energy sources in transportation technology.
Once you have successfully completed your
background research, the Federal government would like to see a prototype
for a new type of transportation propulsion system. Remember you are a
young company so keep your material requirements simple. Your goal is to
design a car that efficiently transforms some source of energy into
kinetic energy.
Part A: Research
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An automobile engine releases chemical
potential energy from gasoline. What energy transformations occur as
the energy is released from the fuel molecules?
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What features of an automobile
determine the percentage of chemical potential energy that is
converted to kinetic energy?
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The efficiency of a device is
determined by the input-output energy ratio. What is the best percent
efficiency for a device ever recorded. Look at several types of
machines. Identify the energy transformations and determine the
percent efficiency of the device.
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Gather data on different types of
vehicles. Provide an analysis in quantitative terms of the efficiency
of the engine with specific reference to percent efficiency and
input/output energy.
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What other forms of energy are commonly
used as a source of energy for a vehicle. What are the advantages and
disadvantages do these energy sources?
Part B: Testing and Inquiry
What other type of energy transformations
can be used to move a vehicle? Your task is to design a simple vehicle
that is powered by any safe energy transformation of your choice. Once
your vehicle is constructed you will need to determine the following
quantitative values:
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What is the initial source of energy
for your vehicle? What is the input energy created by your energy
source?
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What is the useful energy output of
your vehicle? (useful energy could be considered as the kinetic energy
of the car)
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Determine the percent efficiency of
your vehicle.
Part C: Analyze and Reflect
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Describe the energy transformation that
occurs in your vehicle.
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How does your vehicle design effect the
efficiency of the energy transformation?
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What impact would the discovery of a
cleaner, more efficient energy source have on the world? Organize your
answer in terms of the economic, social and environmental effects.
Part D: Communicate
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Your report should describe in
qualitative and quantitative terms the factors that affect the
efficiency of a typical vehicle. It is important that you explain the
energy transformations through the use of derived equations and words.
Include calculations for the energy, work and power in regards to your
model vehicle. Use the questions cited in Part A as a framework for
your discussion.
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Your report should contain the data
collected during you investigations. Data should be summarized in
proper tables and then illustrated using a graph where possible.
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An analysis of your results should
explain the calculated percent efficiency for your model vehicle.
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Finally, explain to the Federal
government the possible effects of cleaner more efficient energy
source on Canadian society.
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