Re: [Phys-l] race car spoiler

[chuck britton <cvbritton@mac.com>]

NASCAR has for the last several years, required a special spoiler to 
be built into the rear of the roof that DOES help prevent flipping. 
You only see it once it automagically opens on an already airborne 
car.

Watch clips of the recent Talledega race to lots of such action.
The fans really got their money's worth of crash action there toward the end.

Doubt that the 'standard' spoiler has much effect in crashes.

I'm always amused to see such spoilers on front wheel drive street cars.


At 9:51 AM -0500 11(4(2009, Anthony Lapinski wrote:
> 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?
>
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