A sump pump rated at a constant output of 2.0 kW is used to remove rainwater from a…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A sump pump rated at a constant output of 2.0 kW is used to remove rainwater from a basement during a storm. The pump must lift 500kg of water a vertical distance of 10 m to ground level. Mechanical losses are negligible, and the pump operates at its rated output whenever it is on.
(a) Calculate the minimum time required for the pump to complete this task.
(b) State two real-world factors that could cause the actual time to be longer than the value calculated in part (a).