Aerodynamics Lab Report
Aerodynamics of Automobiles
Kevin Daniel
Table of Contents
Introduction – Page 3
Review of Literature – Page 4
Materials – Page 6
Procedures – Page 7
Results – Page 8
Bibliography – Page 9
Introduction
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether different aerodynamic shapes of cars will affect how fast they will travel. The goal is to have different speeds for the different car aerodynamics.
Question: The question that will be answered is which car shape will be most aerodynamic, allowing it to travel the fastest.
Hypothesis: If a car has a narrower, flatter front, then the car will travel faster because its aerodynamics will allow air to flow more smoothly around …show more content…
Different cars have different aerodynamic shapes to best suit their purpose. Regular cars usually have a shape to produce less drag, racecars however have a shape to help create negative lift on their bodies.
Hucho, W., & Sovran, G. (n.d.). AERODYNAMICS OF ROAD VEHICLES. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from http://www.academia.edu/9462450/AERODYNAMICS_OF_ROAD_VEHICLES
Aerodynamic drag is made of two forces: the force of air pressure drag, and surface or skin friction also known as direct friction.
Wheels are also a factor in drag as when they spin they cause friction.
Science of Cycling: Aerodynamics & Wind Resistance | Exploratorium. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2017, from https://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics1.html
Cars have a shape that helps them produce a greater downforce, especially racecars. Downforce is the opposite of the force of lift which the principle airplanes work on. This keeps the car on the ground and minimizes the amount of airflow going under the car. For this reason, racecars mainly have wings that are upside down to produce this
Kevin Daniel
Table of Contents
Introduction – Page 3
Review of Literature – Page 4
Materials – Page 6
Procedures – Page 7
Results – Page 8
Bibliography – Page 9
Introduction
Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to determine whether different aerodynamic shapes of cars will affect how fast they will travel. The goal is to have different speeds for the different car aerodynamics.
Question: The question that will be answered is which car shape will be most aerodynamic, allowing it to travel the fastest.
Hypothesis: If a car has a narrower, flatter front, then the car will travel faster because its aerodynamics will allow air to flow more smoothly around …show more content…
Different cars have different aerodynamic shapes to best suit their purpose. Regular cars usually have a shape to produce less drag, racecars however have a shape to help create negative lift on their bodies.
Hucho, W., & Sovran, G. (n.d.). AERODYNAMICS OF ROAD VEHICLES. Retrieved May 18, 2017, from http://www.academia.edu/9462450/AERODYNAMICS_OF_ROAD_VEHICLES
Aerodynamic drag is made of two forces: the force of air pressure drag, and surface or skin friction also known as direct friction.
Wheels are also a factor in drag as when they spin they cause friction.
Science of Cycling: Aerodynamics & Wind Resistance | Exploratorium. (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2017, from https://www.exploratorium.edu/cycling/aerodynamics1.html
Cars have a shape that helps them produce a greater downforce, especially racecars. Downforce is the opposite of the force of lift which the principle airplanes work on. This keeps the car on the ground and minimizes the amount of airflow going under the car. For this reason, racecars mainly have wings that are upside down to produce this