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Overview
On this website I will be discussing the physics of drag racing. Drag racing is a sport appreciated by everyone from amateurs in old cars to multi-million dollar racing teams employing the latest technology. Although there are many different forms of drag racing, the goal is the same in each, to accelerate a car from a stop to the finish line as rapidly as possible. There are a multitude of factors that one must consider when attempting to do this. Some of the most important of these factors include power to weight ratios, torque and horsepower curves, aerodynamics, and the friction between the tires and asphalt. All of these variables can be modeled using Newtonian physics. In fact, an understanding of the physics and math involved is crucial to optimizing a car for acceleration. This site will give an overview of how some important physics concepts relate to the sport. Enjoy! |
