Creative Engineering Design: Efficient Car Design
Figure 1. Example of rain gutters being used as a race track.Copyright 2009 William Surles, ITL Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
Students learn how the aerodynamics and rolling resistance of a car affect its energy efficiency by designing and constructing model cars out of simple materials. Students are encouraged to iterate on their models, designing and testing different cars to create the most efficient model vehicle. As students race their cars down a tilted track, they find that the most energy-efficient cars roll down the track the fastest. In an activity extension, the most aerodynamic cars also jump the farthest.
The energy use and pollution associated with transportation is one of the largest issues facing society today. By building energy-efficient cars, engineers can lower the negative impacts that cars have on the environment and ultimately help improve our lives. The energy efficiency of a car is affected by a variety of factors, including size, aerodynamics, weight, and the rolling resistance of the wheels. Engineers must know all about these factors to design better cars.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the characteristics that affect a car's energy efficiency.
- Explain how rolling resistance affects a car's energy efficiency.
- Describe how a car's shape and size are related to aerodynamics.