The formula for calculating horsepower, specifically in the context of mechanical work, is represented by hp = Fd/t, where hp stands for horsepower, F is the force applied, d is the distance over which the force is applied, and t is the time taken to do the work.
In this formula, you first calculate the work done, which is the product of force and distance (work = force × distance). The resulting work is then divided by time to find the rate at which work is performed. Horsepower quantifies this rate of doing work in imperial units, commonly used in mechanical settings. Essentially, it expresses how quickly energy is converted from one form to another, or how efficiently work is done.
The other formulas provided do not accurately represent horsepower. For example, hp = E/t implies power is calculated from energy, which does not directly relate to force and distance in the way horsepower is traditionally defined for mechanical systems. Similarly, hp = W/t does reference work and time, but it does not clarify that work must be calculated using the force and distance relationship. Hp = F/A is related to pressure, not horsepower, as it measures force applied over an area rather than work done over time. Thus, the chosen formula accurately reflects