24.2. Drag Force and Fuel Efficiency

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is drag force?

   Hint

   It relates to vehicles moving through air.

2. 2.

   Explain the significance of the drag coefficient.

   Hint

   Lower numbers represent better efficiency.

3. 3.

   What is the drag coefficient of modern cars roughly approaching?

   • 0.80
   • 0.50
   • 0.15

   Hint

   Consider advancements in vehicle design.

4. 4.

   True or False: Higher drag coefficients are better for fuel efficiency.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about what drag means.

5. 5.

   Calculate the drag force for a vehicle with a drag coefficient of 0.15, exposed to air density of 1.2 kg/m³, traveling at 100 km/h with a frontal area of 2 m².

   Hint

   Don't forget to convert units.

6. 6.

   If a modern vehicle consumes 1 liter of fuel over 100 km and previously consumed 6 liters for the same distance, what would be the percentage reduction in fuel consumption due to reduced drag?

   Hint

   Focus on the differences in consumption and calculate ratios.