SPEED DEMONS
Which formula tells us how force, mass, and acceleration link?
F=ma
What’s the force that pushes a car down to the track?
Downforce
Which tires are flat with no grooves?
Slick tires
What do pit stops usually change?
tires
What type of force does drag oppose?
Forward/Driving force / motion)
Why are F1 cars made super light?
Less mass = faster acceleration
hy do wings on F1 cars look like airplane wings flipped upside down?
To push down instead of lift up
Why are slick tires faster than grooved ones?
More surface area contact = more friction/grip
Why would a team switch to wet tires mid-race?
Rain or wet track → more grip
What’s the role of the front wing?
Direct air & create downforce
What force tries to keep the car moving straight in a corner?
inertia/centripetal force effect
What happens to drag when the car goes twice as fast?
Drag goes up 4x
What do grooves in wet tires actually do?
Channel water out to stop aquaplaning
What happens if you use soft tires too long?
They wear out and lose grip
What is DRS (Drag Reduction System)?
Flap that opens on straights to reduce drag
Why do brakes glow red during a race?
Kinetic energy → thermal energy from friction
What does DRS do when activated?
Reduces drag by opening a flap on the rear wing
Why do F1 tires heat up so quickly?
Friction + high speeds = thermal energy
Why do teams avoid making cars “too light”
Safety + rules set minimum weight
Why is a car shaped like a teardrop?
Streamlined to reduce drag
Why can’t F1 cars just keep making engines more powerful?
Physics limit — too much drag, tire grip, and inertia to control
Why does air rushing faster under the car create suction?
Bernoulli’s principle → lower pressure underneath
Why do softer tires give better grip but wear out faster?
Softer rubber = more friction but less durable
Why is aerodynamics different on straights vs corners?
On straights you want less drag, in corners you want more downforce
Why is airflow under the car just as important as over it?
Ground effect creates suction, boosting downforce