Book

Fast car physics / Chuck Edmondson.

Summary:

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. The author, a physicist and amateur racer discusses the physics underlying car racing and explains just what is 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. He 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 into the impact and benefit of green technologies in racing. In each case, his in-depth explanations and worked equations link the physics principles to qualitative racing advice. From selecting shifting points to load transfer in car control and beyond, this book is a source to consult before buckling up and cinching down the belts on your racing harness.

Record details

ISBN: 9780801898228 (hardcover : alk. paper)
ISBN: 9780801898235 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN: 0801898226 (hardcover : alk. paper)
ISBN: 0801898234 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Physical Description: xiv, 229 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Publisher: Baltimore, Md. : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (p. [223]-224) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Torque or horsepower? : finding the shift points. Acceleration and Newton's Second Law ; Velocity, speed, rotation, and engine rpm ; The car, horsepower, and torque ; Tire markings ; Calculations ; First gear, it's alright, second gear-- -- Horsepower, 0 to 60 mph, and the quarter mile. Horsepower ; How does drag force affect shift points? ; Gear ratios ; Calculating 0 to 60 mph times ; Assumptions and results ; What is the limit for 0 to 60 mph? Aerodynamic drag ; Correction factors ; The quarter mile ; Flat torque curves ; Top fuel dragsters ; -- Finding the race line : road racing. The traction circle ; Ninety degree right-hand turn ; General turn ; Constructing a track model ; Types of turns ; Type 1 turn ; Type 2 turn ; Type 3 turn ; Turning while speeding up ; -- Basic vehicle dynamics : load transfer and tires. Center of gravity ; Longitudinal and lateral center of gravity ; Height of the center of gravity ; Load transfer and the static stability factor ; Tires and forces ; Tire construction ; Wheels ; Tires under static load ; Tires under dynamic load ; Contact patch friction ; Material properties and testing ; Longitudinal force and longitudinal slip ; Lateral force and the slip angle ; Aligning torque ; -- Steering and suspension. More on steering ; Bicycle model : oversteer and understeer ; Wheel alignment ; Suspension basics ; Double A-arm or wishbone suspension ; MacPherson strut suspension ; NASCAR-type solid rear axle ; Springs and dampers ; Shock absorbers ; Lateral load transfer : advanced approach ; Correcting handling problems ; Understeer correction ; Oversteer correction ; -- Green racing. What is green racing? ; Regenerative braking ; Mechanical energy storage : flywheels ; Electrical energy storage : batteries ; Electrical energy storage capacitors ; What type of hybrid is it? ; Parallel configuration hybrid : Toyota Prius ; All-electric vehicles ; Fuel cells ; Alternative fuels ; -- Get off the streets and go racing!