Which Automobile Shapes Have the Least Wind Resistance?

Overview

Objectives/Goals My project is to determine which shaped car has the least wind resistance. My goal is to figure out which car shape has the least wind resistance. Methods/Materials Materials used to make the wind tunnel included a hairdryer (to create the wind), wood, wire, and Legos (to build auto chassis]. The car bodies were carved with florists foam. A postal scale was used for measuring the force produced. I carved six cars out of foam. One with box shape, one with truck style, another with a dome shape and two that had the lowest profile. When that was done I turned on the hairdryer and when the wind blew the car back, the scale pointer would show the force pulled in grams. Results The results are that a car with a rounded shape and more aerodynamic will have the least wind resistance and a car with a greater frontal area like a truck will have more resistance. Conclusions/Discussion During the time I was testing I saw that the aerodynamics of a car and frontal area does matter. I think that the cars that have a greater frontal area will have an effect on the amount of gas that would be used because a car with a bigger frontal area will need the power to go through the wind. I also think that a car with a less aerodynamic shape will also have to use more gas and power.

Competition history

• CSEF 2004 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics · Entry J0114

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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