Ch En 310
Reading Questions for
Class 8
From Boyle et al.,
Chapter 8
Topic: Transportation
(Note that most of these questions are not from the book. I still want you to read/skim the material in the book)
A. Automobile Efficiency
1. Please compare Figure 8.6 with the figure on the page labeled #3 of the Fuel Efficiency Guide (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2008.pdf ). Comment on the reasons that there is an optimum range of speed for maximum fuel economy, and what factors in general most influence fuel economy.
2. Pick five cars and five SUV’s that you are familiar with, and compare fuel economy (http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/FEG2008.pdf ). Have some fun with this, and report what you find. Another source is the EPA Green Guide (http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do ), which also looks at emissions.
3.
How has the average mpg changed in the
(a) Comment on what major energy event caused the greatest increase in fuel
economy.
(b) Also comment on the total number of miles traveled.
B. Diesel vs. Otto cycle
4. Explain the difference between the auto cycle and the diesel cycle. Why are diesels used for large vehicles and not for small vehicles? See http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question399.htm , with associated links at the bottom of the page.
C. Octane
5. Explain what an octane number is, and what refineries do to change the octane number.
D. Hybrid/Electric Vehicles
6.
How does a hybrid vehicle work? (See
(a) http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/hybridtech.shtml
and/or
(b) http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm
) (multiple pages)
7.
8. How far can an electric vehicle go? How fast? How long does it take to recharge? (See (a) http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/evtech.shtml , and (b) http://www.electroauto.com/info/faq.shtml ).