Thrust for Car Acceleration: Understanding Piston Engine Force

In summary, the discussion revolved around the use of the term "thrust" to describe the force used to accelerate a typical car. While thrust is commonly associated with aviation, it can also refer to the reaction force from the acceleration of gases and fluids. However, there is debate over whether this term can also be applied to the force generated by the tires of a car.
  • #1
howbabbyform?
2
0
Can thrust be used to describe the force used to accelerate a typical car (piston engine)?
 
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  • #2
Yes, the engine torque is multiplied by the overall gear ratio (transmission and rear end) and after losses in the drive train are accounted for, ends up as torque applied to the driven tires. The "thrust" equals the driven tire torque divided by the driven tire radius.
 
  • #3
It's a bit different if Howbabbyform (where the hell did that name come from? :confused:) is trying to equate hp to the thrust as measured from a jet or rocket. That ratio changes with speed and atmospheric pressure.
 
  • #4
(where the hell did that name come from? )

parody of a yahoo answers question. http://www.somethingawful.com/flash/shmorky/babby.swf

The reason why I ask the question is because on a separate forum I was saying that you can find thrust of a car with engine torque, gear ratios and tire radius (not including parasitic drag of the drive train). Someone told me that thrust wasn't the correct term to use and when I searched for better descriptions of thrust, all I could find had to do with aviation.
 
  • #5
The wiki definition wouldn't appear to the force generated by the tires, because it defines thrust as the reaction force to acceleration of some mass (such as acceleration of air by a propeller, or acceleration of spent fuel by a rocket engine).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrust

However the force applied by the tires to the Earth results in a very tiny amount of linear and angular acceleration of the earth, which "reacts" with a forwards force on the tires, so could this be called "thrust"?

I misunderstood your original question, thinking it was about the math and not about the terminology. Thrust is normally used to refer to reaction force from the acceleration gases and fluids, but the wiki definition doesn't include this restriction.
 
  • #6
howbabbyform? said:
parody of a yahoo answers question.

:smile:
 

FAQ: Thrust for Car Acceleration: Understanding Piston Engine Force

What is thrust and how does it relate to car acceleration?

Thrust is a force that propels an object in a specific direction. In the context of car acceleration, thrust is generated by the engine's pistons and is responsible for moving the car forward.

How is the force produced by piston engines converted into thrust?

The force produced by piston engines is converted into thrust through the combustion process. When fuel and air are ignited in the engine's cylinders, they create a controlled explosion that pushes the pistons down and creates rotational motion. This motion is then transferred to the wheels through the transmission, resulting in acceleration.

What factors can affect the amount of thrust produced by a piston engine?

The amount of thrust produced by a piston engine can be affected by several factors, including the number of cylinders, the size and design of the cylinders, the type of fuel used, and the efficiency of the combustion process.

How does the type of fuel used in a piston engine affect its thrust and acceleration?

The type of fuel used in a piston engine can affect its thrust and acceleration in several ways. Higher octane fuels, for example, can produce more power and result in higher thrust and acceleration. Additionally, the quality and purity of the fuel can also impact the efficiency of the combustion process, which in turn affects the engine's thrust output.

Are there any alternative methods for generating thrust in cars besides piston engines?

Yes, there are alternative methods for generating thrust in cars, such as electric motors and jet engines. Electric motors use electromagnetic forces to create rotational motion, while jet engines use the principle of jet propulsion to produce thrust. These methods are commonly used in hybrid and electric cars, as well as in high-performance sports cars.

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