- #1
CoolClay
- 2
- 0
So I participate every year in the Toboggan National Championships in Maine. Year after year most teams try to get as fat as they can with the theory that the more weight they have the faster they will go down hill.
I am fairly proficient in basic physics, and know that the acceleration due to gravity always stays the same no matter what the mass, but friction increases with the added mass.
So to me the "more weight=better" theory is counterintuitive. From my understanding it would be more advantageous to have a team that is very light, and very aerodynamic, then a team that is big fat, and non-aerodynamic.
Is this right or am I missing something. Thanks for your help!
I am fairly proficient in basic physics, and know that the acceleration due to gravity always stays the same no matter what the mass, but friction increases with the added mass.
So to me the "more weight=better" theory is counterintuitive. From my understanding it would be more advantageous to have a team that is very light, and very aerodynamic, then a team that is big fat, and non-aerodynamic.
Is this right or am I missing something. Thanks for your help!