Chronology Current Month Current Thread Current Date
[Year List] [Month List (current year)] [Date Index] [Thread Index] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Date Prev] [Date Next]

[Phys-l] race car spoiler



I'm teaching Newton's laws now There are some neat ideas/discussions about
race cars, friction, tires, etc.
Like most ordinary cars, race cars are rear-wheel drive and have the
engine in the front. Many also have a spoiler on the back. When air flows
past this, it exerts a downward force on the car. This is good for
traction on curved pavement and acceleration on straight pavement.

Now, does a spoiler also help prevent a race car from flipping over at
high speeds? I've seen race cars flip, but usually when they get hit or if
they turn too suddenly. Would race cars be more likely to flip without a
spoiler? And if so, how does this occur? Is it the
shape/weight/aerodynamics of the car? At fast speeds air gives it an
upward lift from underneath? I'm a little confused with this. Can anyone
provide an explanation?