Pressure & Area: Understanding Cars' Behavior

In summary, the conversation is about the pressure acting on a car while driving and how it is affected by the surface area of the car. The speaker is questioning if decreasing the surface area will result in a better or worse force and pressure. They are also considering the effects of neglecting friction, keeping the car's mass and power the same.
  • #1
arfm12009
1
0
Hi Iver been thinking lately about pressure dealing with cars. when driving i know there's a pressure acting on the car trying to push it back, but pressure depends on area so if the surface area on my car gets smaller will this be better or worse.

What I've been thinking is well
P=F/A as A goes to 0 P goes to infinity but that means the force is constant
or
As A decreases does the F and P stays the same
Im sorry there's no other way i could put it buts its been confusing me for a while

im neglecting friction, and making the mass of the car the same as well as the power of the car.
 
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  • #2
welcome to pf!

hi arfm12009! welcome to pf! :smile:

at any particular speed, the pressure P is roughly constant,

so F/A is roughly constant, ie the smaller the area, the smaller the force of resistance :wink:
 

FAQ: Pressure & Area: Understanding Cars' Behavior

What is pressure and how does it affect a car's behavior?

Pressure is the force exerted per unit area. In the context of cars, pressure can affect the behavior of a car in various ways. For example, tire pressure can affect the handling and fuel efficiency of a car, while air pressure in the engine can affect its performance.

How does the area of a car impact its performance?

The area of a car can impact its performance in terms of aerodynamics. A smaller area, such as a sleek sports car, will experience less air resistance and therefore achieve higher speeds. On the other hand, a larger area, such as a truck or SUV, will experience more air resistance and may have lower fuel efficiency.

What is the relationship between pressure and area in a car?

The relationship between pressure and area in a car is known as Pascal's Principle. This principle states that when pressure is applied to a confined fluid, it is transmitted equally in all directions. In the context of cars, this means that changes in pressure and area can affect each other, such as in the case of tire pressure and its impact on the area of tire contact with the road.

How can understanding pressure and area help improve car design?

By understanding the relationship between pressure and area, car designers can make adjustments to improve the performance and efficiency of cars. For example, by reducing the overall area of a car and streamlining its design, they can reduce air resistance and improve fuel efficiency.

How can changes in pressure and area affect a car's safety?

Changes in pressure and area can have a significant impact on a car's safety. For instance, low tire pressure can lead to reduced traction and control, increasing the risk of accidents. Similarly, changes in air pressure in the engine can affect its performance and potentially lead to malfunctions, which can also compromise safety.

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