Understanding Aerodynamics

What is the primary benefit of an aerodynamic car design?

• Increased weight

• Better fuel economy

• Louder engine noise

• Higher production cost

What is drag in the context of aerodynamics?

• The speed of the car

• The force that opposes motion through air

• The force that lifts a car

• The weight of the car

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What shape is considered the most aerodynamic in nature?

• Triangle

• Square

• Teardrop

• Circle

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What is the drag coefficient (Cd)?

• A measure of air resistance on an object

• A measure of a car's weight

• A measure of a car's fuel efficiency

• A measure of a car's speed

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Which car had a Cd of .27 but was not popular?

• Rumpler-Tropfenauto

• Audi 100

• Chrysler Airflow

• Ford Model T

What tool is used to measure the aerodynamic effectiveness of a car?

• Wind tunnel

• Speedometer

• Thermometer

• Barometer

What is downforce?

• The force that speeds up an object

• The force that lifts an object

• The force that pushes an object to the ground

• The force that slows down an object

Why do Formula One cars have a high Cd?

• To increase lift

• To maximize downforce

• To reduce weight

• To increase fuel efficiency

What is the effect of reducing a car's Cd by 0.01?

• Increases fuel economy by 0.2 miles per gallon

• Decreases speed by 10 mph

• Decreases fuel economy by 0.2 miles per gallon

• Increases speed by 10 mph

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What was the Cd of the Chrysler Airflow?

• .40

• .50

• .27

• .30