Do you know how a race car works? Vehicles used in motorsport have specific characteristics, and each modality has its particularities. Team builders need to have knowledge of Physics, as aspects such as aerodynamics and frictional force are essential for a car to reach high speeds in a few seconds without harming the drivers.
Aerodynamics
A Formula 1 car, for example, has the airfoil. This accessory is responsible for leaving the vehicle on the ground, as, at high speed, it could take off. Its structure has a function similar to that of an airplane wing, except that it is turned downwards, channeling the air force and pressing the car against the ground, which is known as force. aerodynamics.
According to the Physics professor at Oficina do Estudante, Danillo Mello, the shape of the vehicle also contributes to success or failure in the race. “When the car is moving really fast, there's that 'wing' shape that forms around it. When air passes through it, it forces it down, causing it to accelerate more than usual.”, he claims.
Friction
O Thetrite it's what makes it possible for the car to walk and turn. “Without it, cars simply couldn't walk. It would be like you were on an ice rink”, emphasizes the teacher, who adds: “Turns could not be made, that is, the vehicles would pass straight through, which would be a problem, as most race tracks invest a lot in this type of path”.
According to Danillo Mello, the frictional force depends entirely on normal strength (vertical force of ground-to-car contact). The professor emphasizes that the contact between the tires and the ground is very important and that the friction coefficient changes with temperature. “On colder days, have you ever noticed that drivers leave pit stops 'zigzagging' with their vehicles? This is not for nothing, as this movement aims to create maximum contact between the car wheel and the track so that the vehicle can accelerate more easily”, highlights him.
Friction is quite noticeable during races, especially in drags and braking. “The greater the friction force, the faster you can change gear”, emphasizes Danillo.
Acceleration
Thinking about the safety of the pilots, the teams also take into account the centripetal acceleration, noticeable when the car makes a sharp turn and the person is thrown to the side. Therefore, helmets are equipped with a neck protection that prevents them from shifting and possible fractures.
Other characteristics present in the composition of race cars, but which vary according to the automobile modality, are the wheelbase, the length and the pasta, which are fundamental to avoid overturning at the end of a long straight or on curves, due to mass transfer. “The principles of physics remain the same, however, they gain more or less relevance according to the competition”, says Danillo Mello.
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How is a car from stock car
Who quickly looks at a car from stock car you might think it's an ordinary car with some racing adaptations, right? However, few similarities exist between these vehicles, which comes down to the presence of taillights and the use of andethanol, because not even the headlights of a stock car are true, as they are just stickers that simulate the real ones.
The Stock Car car is built on a tubular chassis (photo) in molybdenum, plates of aluminum and flame retardant coating. The body is produced in fiber from glass reinforced and designed in large detachable parts. The front glass, on the other hand, has a polycarbonate sheet between two sheets with electrical resistance that prevent the haze.
The car's tubular chassis has molybdenum bars *
A Stock Car is assembled for the safety of whoever drives it. According to pilot Raphael Abbate, the tubular chassis with the protection bars and the body that disintegrates are very important in the event of an accident. “In addition, details such as the seat, which is molded exclusively for the pilot, as well as the six-point seat belt and flame retardant clothing are essential.”, he points out.
The modality has dry and wet tyres. “When the track is dry, we use a smooth tire with firmer rubber, which ensures greater grip” - highlights Raphael, who adds: “When it rains, what is used has a softer rubber and grooves through which the water flows, thus avoiding aquaplaning”.
The on-board computer provides the pilot with information such as speed, fuel consumption, brake temperature, among others. “We have access to the car's graphics, which gives us a view of the entire vehicle”, emphasizes Abbate. The car is equipped with internal sensors that provide data to the teams.
Performance
The temperature directly influences the race. According to Raphael, the colder, the greater the efficiency, as there is a better performance of the tires and the engine. “The ideal temperature would be between 15°C and 20°C”, he claims.
Drivers are very demanding during car races, which can last from 30 minutes to two hours. Wear is great, mainly because of the heat inside the cockpits, which can easily reach 60°C. “We wear a T-shirt with a water coil, in addition to the helmet being structured with an air intake and a straw through which we drink water”, highlights Abbate. The preparation precedes the races and includes consumption of plenty of fluids and food rich in carbohydrates.
*Image credits: Provided by Raphael Abbate.
By Lorraine Vilela
Brazil School Team
