RE: Car Aerodynamics

[STEADIRIC@aol.com]

>It's really simple. If the formula for drag force was: Speed * C = Drad 
>force, where C is some experimentally measured constant then Cd would be 
>independent of speed so would be air density etc... Also note that C is 
>not dependent on speed in that equation.
> 
> Cd would be part of that constant.
> This is precisely the case at low speeds. 
>
>However, at higher speeds the realtionship between 
>speed and drag force is not linear! Hence, Cd would have to change.
>A good approximation for any objectat high speeds is drag force = speed^2 
>* C, but this is for a round ball! Normally, aeroefficient objects that 
>are designed for high speeds beat it.
>Why do you think F1's, Porshes ... have a movable wing -> to optimize Cd for

>different speed ranges. 

Alexei.......

Let's try to talk about things that you know about.....  Aero is not you 
thing.

Later!


Eric Fletcher
'87 5KCSTQIA2RSR2B
St. Louis, MO

STEADIRIC@aol.com