Re: OT: Funnier Than Rush


"Gary H. Lucas" <gary.lucas@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:37gki.1159$YH3.722@xxxxxxxxxxx
"D Murphy" <spamto154@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:Xns9966E38EE3EFBBW12BU20MU38SY@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Gary H. Lucas" <gary.lucas@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
FhYji.17543$sq4.6708@trnddc05:">news:FhYji.17543$sq4.6708@trnddc05:

Why is everyone so surprised about Prius going 100 mph? Nearly all of
you horsepower at high speed is going to fighting wind drag. One of
the reasons the Prius gets such good gas mileage is a low drag shape.
So it follows that the top speed should be quite good.

Lots of reasons, not the least of which is the CVT transmission and the 78
hp. Then there are the weighty batteries and electric motors.

I'll bet driving at that speed does the tranny no good at all.

--

Dan

CNC Videos - <http://tinyurl.com/yzdt6d>

Dan,
The weight should have little to do with it. Rolling friction and internal friction from seals and such increase pretty much
linearly, so they are not much greater at 100 mph than at 50. Air drag on the other hand increases exponentially. However if the
body design is very slippery it won't take much power to go fast. Acceleration though would be greatly affected by the weight, so
it might take quite a distance to get to 100 mph. The primary need for horsepower in cars is acceleration, not top speed.

Gary H. Lucas


"Acceleration though would be greatly affected by the
weight, so it might take quite a distance to get to 100 mph."

Both weights less or more will roll down hill by gravity at
the same rate. Acceleration would not effect either masses momentum
differently same exchange in acceleration on both masses will be
equal, energy difference being in momentum. So it take more
momentum energy to move something heavier then lighter.

btw, Myth Buster one episode where to determine the
cars traction on ice or snow did you see that one this
weekend? Well they determined the front wheel drive
car had more traction in reverse then it had in forward.
Well the car front wheels were up on a 4,5,6 inch ramp
while ice was packed on the surface of this ramp how
come the car had more traction in reverse then forward
as they said on the show ?

John


.

Relevant Pages

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