Fast Car Physics

Description

Revving engines, smoking tires, and high speeds. Car racing enthusiasts and race drivers alike know the thrill of competition, the push to perform better, and the agony—and dangers—of bad decisions. But driving faster and better involves more than just high horsepower and tightly tuned engines. Physicist and amateur racer Chuck Edmondson thoroughly discusses the physics underlying car racing and explains just what's going on during any race, why, and how a driver can improve control and ultimately win. The world of motorsports is rich with excitement and competition—and physics. Edmondson applies common mathematical theories to real-world racing situations to reveal the secrets behind successful fast driving. He explains such key concepts as how to tune your car and why it matters, how to calculate 0 to 60 mph times and quarter-mile times and why they are important, and where, when, why, and how to use kinematics in road racing. He wraps it up with insight... PrefaceAcknowledgments1. Torque or Horsepower? Finding the Shift Points1.1. Acceleration and Newton's Second Law1.2. Velocity, Speed, Rotation, and Engine rpm1.3. The Car, Horsepower, and Torque1.4. Tire Markings1.5. Calculations1.6. First Gear, It's All Right. Second Gear...1.7. Summary2. Horsepower, 0 to 60 mph, and the Quarter Mile2.1. Horsepower2.2. How Does Drag Force Affect Shift Points?2.3. Gear Ratios2.4. Calculating 0 to 60 mph Times2.5. Assumptions and Results2.6. What Is the Limit for 0 to 60 mph?2.7. Aerodynamic Drag2.8. Correction Factors2.9. The Quarter Mile2.10. Flat Torque Curves2.11. Top Fuel Dragsters2.12. Summary3. Finding the Racing Line: Road Racing3.1. The Traction Circle3.2. Ninety Degree Right-Hand Turn3.3. General Turn3.4. Constructing a Track Model3.5. Types of Turns3.6. Type 1 Turn3.7. Type 2 Turn3.8. Type 3 Turn3.9. Turning While Speeding Up3.10. Summary4. Basic Vehicle Dynamics: Load Transfer and Tires4.1. Center of Gravity4.2. Longitudinal and Lateral Center of Gravity4.3. Height of the Center of Gravity4.4. Load Transfer and the Static Stability Factor4.5. Tires and Forces4.6. Tire Construction4.7. Wheels4.8. Tires under Static Load4.9. Tires under Dynamic Load4.10. Contact Patch Friction4.11. Material Properties and Testing4.12. Longitudinal Force and Longitudinal Slip4.13. Lateral Force and the Slip Angle4.14. Aligning Torque4.15. Summary5. Steering and Suspension5.1. More on Steering5.2. Bicycle Model: Oversteer and Understeer5.3. Wheel Alignment5.4. Suspension Basics5.5. Double A-arm or Wishbone Suspension5.6. MacPherson Strut Suspension5.7. NASCAR-Type Solid Rear Axle5.8. Springs and Dampers5.9. Shock Absorbers5.10. Lateral Load Transfer: Advanced Approach5.11. Correcting Handling Problems5.12. Understeer Correction5.13. Oversteer Correction5.14. Summary6. Green Racing6.1. What Is Green Racing?6.2. Regenerative Braking6.3. Mechanical Energy Storage: Flywheels6.4. Mechanical Energy Storage: Batteries6.5. Mechanical Energy Storage: Capacitors6.6. What Type of Hybrid Is It?6.7. Parallel Configuration Hybrid: Toyota Prius6.8. All-Electric Vehicles6.9. Fuel Cells6.10. Alternative Fuels6.11. SummaryConclusionGet Off the Streets and Go Racing!Suggested ReadingIndex