Vehicle Aerodynamics: Motorcycle vs Truck

Thread starter khalid00
Start date Feb 12, 2008
Tags

Aerodynamics Vehicle

AI Thread Summary

Motorcycles are more aerodynamically affected than trucks primarily due to their smaller cross-sectional area, which leads to a higher drag coefficient despite their less streamlined shape. The drag force on a vehicle is proportional to its cross-sectional area, meaning that while a motorcycle may experience greater relative drag, a truck's larger area results in significantly more total drag. The lower density of air does not directly impact the comparative drag between the two types of vehicles. Justifying the aerodynamic differences involves understanding the balance between drag coefficient and cross-sectional area. Overall, motorcycles are influenced more by aerodynamic factors due to their design and size.

Feb 12, 2008

khalid00

why is a motorcycle more aerodynamically affected than a truck??, I have been lead to believe it is because of the lower density, is that true?? and how can i justify it??

Thanks

Physics news on Phys.org

Feb 12, 2008

mgb_phys

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Drag is proportional to cross sectional area.
An unfaired motorbike make have a higher draw coefficent than a truck (ie is less streamlined) but a truck has a lot more cross sectional area so more overall drag.

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...

View full post »

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...

View full post »

Thread 'Explain this asphalt sheen'

This problem is two parts. The first is to determine what effects are being provided by each of the elements - 1) the window panes; 2) the asphalt surface. My answer to that is The second part of the problem is exactly why you get this affect. And one more spoiler:

View full post »