We have developed a system to measure the motion of a car with very good precision. It requires a laptop computer and a standard sensor interface. The added parts are relatively simple and inexpensive, and can be connected to a variety of cars easily and quickly. Using this system, we are able to derive the horsepower and torque versus engine speed for any manual transmission car. Students enjoy the lab because it gives them an excuse to floor their car but it also produces remarkably good data.
Topics
Education
REFERENCES
1.
Inclusion of this effect was done at the suggestion of our referee.
2.
K. Newton et al., The Motor Vehicle, 10th ed. (Butterworth, 1983), p. 48.
3.
J. Fenton, Handbook of Vehicle Design Analysis (Mechanical Engineering Publications, London, 1996), p. 580.
4.
http://www.goshen.edu/physics/horsepower/index.html.
5.
R.H. Barnard, Road Vehicle Aerodynamic Design, (Longman, Essex, 1996), p. 21.
6.
http://www.pumaracing.co.uk/power3.htm.
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© 2003 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2003
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