Find drag given reference area and speed

In summary, to calculate the drag force on a car traveling at 30 m/s, you can use the formula drag force=.5*p*v^2*coefficient of drag*A, where p is the density of air (assumed to be 1.2), v is the speed in m/s, coefficient of drag is 0.25, and A is the reference area (1.6*1.4). The result will be in Newtons. It is important to note that the density of air and coefficient of drag may vary and can affect the accuracy of the calculation. Additionally, it is recommended to use consistent units, such as using m/s for speed instead of mph.
  • #1
korinnewade
2
0

Homework Statement



What is the drag force on a 1.6 m wide, 1.4 m high car traveling at 30 m/s (approx 65 mph)?


Homework Equations



drag force=.5*p*v^2*coefficient of drag*A

The Attempt at a Solution


density of air depends on temp but that's not given so I used a density of 1.2 assuming there is a range of answers for this question. The drag coefficient for a car varies I used .25
I tried using the speed as m/s and mph in the equation. Reference area = 1.6*1.4

drag force=.5*1.2*484*.25*2.24
 
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  • #2
Where did the 484 come from?
Why would you use mph when your other units are SI?
The drag coefficient for cars vary all over the place depending on design.
 

FAQ: Find drag given reference area and speed

What is drag?

Drag is a force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid, such as air or water.

What is reference area?

Reference area is the frontal area of an object that is used to calculate the drag force.

How is drag calculated?

Drag can be calculated using the equation: Drag = 0.5 x density x velocity squared x coefficient of drag x reference area.

Why is speed important in calculating drag?

Speed is important in calculating drag because it is one of the factors that directly affects the amount of drag force experienced by an object. As speed increases, so does the drag force.

Can drag be reduced?

Yes, drag can be reduced by changing the shape or surface texture of an object, or by reducing its speed. This is why aerodynamic designs are important in reducing drag for objects like airplanes and cars.

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