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How Does it Work /
Acceleration
Acceleration
Acceleration is the process of changing the rate of velocity or
movement. This is the result of available power from the engine.
Usually, the bigger the engine, the greater the power. However,
a
turbo charger or forced induction engine provides an exception to the rule. When
air is forced into an engine using a turbo charger it can produce even more power and improve acceleration.
Big Block Chevy Horse Power
Whenever you hear someone mention horsepower the first thing that usually comes to mind is cars;
fast cars with extreme torque, muscle cars with lots of power, and vehicles
capable of extreme speed. But
why is horsepower so important?
The term "horsepower" was created in 1782 by James Watt, a famous 19th century engineer,
as he improved the power of a steam engine. While watching
horses haul coal out of a coal mine he came up with the idea of defining the power
exerted by these animals.
He calculated that a normal horse attached to a mill that ground corn or cut
wood walked in a circle that was 24 feet in diameter. He then calculated that the
horse pulled with a force of 180 pounds. Watt noticed the horse could make 144 trips
around this circle in an hour. That is 2.4 trips per minute. Using these numbers
he calculated that the horse traveled about 180.96 foot per minute then rounded
up and came up with 181 foot per minute. He then multiplied the 181 foot per minute
by 180 pounds of force the horse exerted and came up with the number 32,580 foot
pounds per minute then rounded up again to the number 33,000 foot pounds per minute.
This number is equal to one horsepower.
Mr. Watt used his new term to rate the power of the steam engine. Since
most people were unfamiliar with the steam engine he had to come up with a comparison
measurement that the farmer of the day would understand. As with any measurement
there are different variations and different methods of measuring horsepower or
hp. The normal measurement of horsepower is called mechanical horsepower.
How Does it Work
/ Acceleration
and Horsepower
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and Horsepower Questions and Answers
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