Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Technology => Topic started by: CliffordK on 24/08/2012 10:36:59
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Racing cars often are built with very low ground clearance.
Solar-Electric cars often have very high ground clearance.
Which is best?
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Racing cars prior to the application of down-force weren't especially ground hugging.
I think that would point to the answer :)
edit: although Centre of Gravity clearly plays a part in going for low ground clearance as well. Not a lot of tight corners on the average Solar Challenge course, I suspect.
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Depends on what you mean by best...
In both cases it relates to the aerodynamics and what is optimal for what the vehicles is trying to acheive. This is always a compromise between traction, stabillity and cornering (when the forces change) which is why high performance (street legal) cars do not look like formula 1/ Indy cars do not look like dragsters.
Racing cars are low and have fat tyres to maximise traction - how much power they can transfer from engine to the ground - the aerodynamics take advantage of the "down force" to keep the maximum amount of rubber in contact with the ground (and to maximise stabillity) There are various tricks for doing this
Solar electric / hyper efficient cars have skinny tyres and are higher to reduce rolling resistance and minimse the adverse effects of down force - this has to be balenced by lift which reduces the stabillity of the vehicle.