Wind Resistance and Automobile Shapes

(1) RISE Online STEM Research Institute

https://doi.org/10.59720/18-043
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Increasing a vehicle’s aerodynamic efficiency allows it to travel the same distance using less power, and makes the vehicle more fuel­-efficient. The purpose of this experiment was to identify which vehicle body features are the most efficient at decreasing the magnitude of wind resistance. We found that curved and torpedo-­shaped bodies yielded the least wind resistance. In today’s society, efficiency is what drives innovation; by implementing curved features into vehicles today, cars can become more efficient. Higher fuel efficiency makes vehicles not only more economical, but also safer for the environment. We hope our findings will help the automotive industry maximize efficiency.

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