Physics Of Driving

This paper explores the many ways a car uses physics and how many examples of physics and physics equations can be used by just driving. Many people are not sure exactly what physics includes. By using an example that ordinary people use on a daily basis some segments of physics will be given and explained. The use of online research, personal opinions and facts will be provided to back up and confirm solid information.

Air resistance and roll resistance are the two main forces that helps slow down a car. Aerodynamics, another force, applies to a car while going down a highway at high speeds. A car itself goes through a “wall” without realization (George, 1998). This makes the car have more troubles with control, fuel mileage, and acceleration.

It is the only thing that cars have to cut through while going down the highway. The shape of the vehicle and the air speed can determine how much air resistance the car is trying to go through (Nave). The larger the vehicle you have then the greater force of air you will have acting on your car. This may give fewer miles per gallon than say a smaller vehicle. Smaller vehicles have less resistance on them than the larger ones. Also the smaller vehicle have a disadvantage of having less weight, making them have less control while cruising at high speeds. Speed ties into how having more resistance occurs. Manufacturers intend on making their vehicles bodies as smooth as they can to provide the most efficient fuel mileage and handling

With that said, this is an essential concept need for cars to stay on the ground and without it there will be no thrust. When a car moves up a hill it has nearly twice as much gravitational pull being acted on it making it have an even greater amount of thrust needed (Aries, 1999). Then, the engine of a car is needed to produce more power to equal out the forces and give you acceleration. Having too much can also have side effects. While going on turns, if the car maintains a certain speed the car could be too tall and loose its center of gravity making it tip over to the great force (Aries, 1999). These all occur when the vehicle is planted too tall they say on their wheels. Cornering forces affect a car while making turns, also known as lateral forces. One of Newton’s laws states that a car will stay in motion on its original path until another force is acted on it (Aries, 1999). Inertia is the other force that is occurring while turning on left and right hand turns. The total mass will always go in the path of the greater