What components in a car can accelerate it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter justinbaker
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
8 replies · 18K views
justinbaker
Messages
34
Reaction score
0
Any help would be great,
How many "accelerators" are in your car? There are at least 3 that can be used to accelerate the car. What are they, and what accelerations do they produce?



I know this is a simple question, but i am very confused. please help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Think about the concept of acceleration.
 
Think of this way: An accelerator is anything that changes the velocity of the car in any way.
 
still a little confused i guess. i don't really see at least 3 accelerators

is the engine considered one, or am i just way off
 
The question is asking for a list of the controls inside your car that can change the car's speed or direction (which, together, are called velocity).

- Warren
 
ok i see so are they gas pedal which produces positive a
brake which produces a negative a
and the steering wheel since it produces centripetal acceleration
 
what ya'll think?
 
You got it.

- Warren
 
Depending on how picky your teacher is, there are a lot of other "accelerators" in your car. Your air condititioner robs power from the engine when you turn it on. This slows down your car until you apply more gas from the gas pedel. To a much lesser extent, every electrical accessory does the same. It's small and unnoticable, but turning on your headlights, or even increasing the volume on your stereo increases the load on your alternator, which increases the load on your engine and slows you down, but its very insignificant. Also, rolling down the windows makes your car less aerodynamic, which slows it down. And of course the transmission can be shifted into a different gear and cause your car to change velocity.

I imagine accelerator, brake and steering wheel are the answers they're looking for.